Glasgow airport strike: ‘Unbelievable queues’ reported as workers stage 12-hour walk-out

Workers are protesting over pay and pensions

(AFP)

Glasgow and Aberdeen airport workers are striking today in the first of two 12-hour walk-outs, leading to “unbelievable queues” this morning.

Unite members working as security, fire and operations staff across the two sites are staging industrial action over pay and pensions from 4am-4pm. Check-in staff and baggage handlers are not involved in the walk-out.

Despite AGS Airports group, which owns both sites, saying it had made “robust contingency plans” to ensure “business as usual”, such as bringing in hundreds of extra workers to cover strikers, travellers reported huge lines at Glasgow Airport security.

“Unbelievable queues at Glasgow Airport security this morning despite radio reports that passengers wouldn’t be impacted by strike,” said Twitter user 4pointUK.

“Horrible to arrive in the Glasgow Airport and meet queues like this,” tweeted Fuad Alakbarov, alongside a picture of a long line. ⁠⁠

Glasgow Airport said in a statement: “We apologise to our customers for the delay at security this morning. Following the commencement of industrial action and transition to our contingency in security, we have experienced longer than normal queues.

“We thank you for your patience and understanding.”

Further strikes are planned for 10 and 14 June: the latter will be for four, rather than 12 hours.

“For the avoidance of doubt and to empirically set the record straight Unite has multiple times this week requested to meet with management to seek remedy to the dispute on pay and pensions,” said Pat McIlvogue, Unite regional industrial officer. “This has been met with a wall of silence.

“Let’s make it crystal clear here, the airport is not taking up that offer and is spending its energy in petty behaviour that will potentially put travellers at risk.

“Stop this and meet with Unite to find a remedy to this dispute. We will meet them at any time under any auspices including ACAS, of which they are breaking the 2016 Agreement on Pensions.”

Queues have since returned to normal levels, according to Glasgow Airport MD Mark Johnston.

Steve Szalay, MD at Aberdeen International Airport, said: “This is not a situation that we want to be in but it’s been business as usual here. We’ll have 10,000 people travelling today and they’ve been coming in and out without disruption. These range from folk who’ve saved all year to go on holiday to people who have been working offshore and are getting home to see their families.”