Resolution reached in north air traffic controllers' pay dispute
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THE long-running dispute over air traffic controllers' pay at airports throughout the Highland region has finally been resolved.
It was announced yesterday (Friday, January 3) that members of the Prospect trade union working in air traffic control for Highlands and Islands Limited (Hial) had voted to accept a pay deal for 2018-21 which will end the current dispute.
The staff accepted the proposed deal, which had been negotiated late last year, by a large margin in a ballot.
David Avery, Prospect negotiations officer said: “We are pleased that our members have accepted this new deal and that this long-running dispute can now be brought to an end.
“Air traffic controllers provide a vital service for the Highlands and Islands and deserve to have their work and skills properly compensated and we are pleased that this deal represents real progress.
“The deal has required compromise on both sides and I would like to thank Scottish ministers for giving Hial the authority to reach a deal, and we look forward to working constructively with Hial in the future.”
Six airports operated by Hial – Inverness, Kirkwall, Sumburgh, Benbecula, Dundee and Stornoway – had closures as a result of the strike but Wick was not affected.
Hial said that a "local arrangement" had been in place for Wick John O’Groats Airport and it remained open to air traffic throughout the strike. The airports at Barra, Campbeltown, Islay and Tiree also stayed open.
Inglis Lyon, Hial’s managing director said: “I’m pleased to advise that the ATC pay dispute has now been resolved.
"Prospect has confirmed today that, following a ballot of their membership, there was an overwhelming acceptance of our revised pay offer.
“Acceptance of this offer sees air traffic controllers receiving the 2019/20 pay increase already awarded to other Hial staff, along with a commitment to a similar award in 2020/21, assuming that Scottish government’s pay policy remains broadly the same. In addition, they will receive a retention payment for a three-year period.
“This now draws the ATC industrial action to a close and we look forward to working with our air traffic control staff as we strive to maintain and develop sustainable airport services for the future.”
