Industrial Action by HIAL Air Traffic Control Officers
Commenting on the notification by the Prospect trade union of the intention of HIAL air traffic controllers to hold industrial action, Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said:
“Industrial action at HIAL airports across the region has the potential to cause major disruption for passengers.
“Not only will this affect business and leisure travellers, but also could leave island communities in particular cut off with few alternatives for quick travel to the mainland. And there are a number of more urgent concerns, such as what would happen with emergency medical transport, as well as patients flying south for pre-arranged medical appointments.
“It is vital that this dispute is resolved before these airports are left with no alternative but to shut down, with passengers across the Highlands and Islands suffering.”
Notes to editors
An email from Inglis Lyons, Managing Director at HIAL, from today (1 March) is provided below as background--
I write to confirm that the trade union Prospect has notified HIAL of its intention to hold strike action, which will impact our Air Traffic Services. The action follows a ballot where staff voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.
The industrial action will affect the following airports: Inverness, Sumburgh, Kirkwall, Wick John O‘Groats, Stornoway, Benbecula and Dundee.
As soon as Prospect inform us of the dates on which it intends to take industrial action, we will, of course, make you aware. Prospect has indicated the action could take place on days between 1 April and 31 August 2019.
The dispute involves a claim from the trade union for a double-digit wage increase in 2018/19 or a long-term commitment to above inflation pay awards. More recently, Prospect believes air traffic controllers in the Highlands and Islands and Dundee should have parity with controllers at London airports including Heathrow and Gatwick.
A recently completed analysis of air traffic controller pay at non-HIAL airports, jointly undertaken with Prospect, could find no evidence of HIAL staff rates of pay less than those found at comparator airports.
We do not believe comparisons with staff in London control towers are germane, because the volume of traffic experienced, type of air traffic control practiced and cost of living in the South East of England are not comparable with HIAL airports.
As a government sponsored agency, HIAL must follow the Scottish Government pay policy. Last year HIAL awarded up to three per cent, plus incremental progression, or a one per cent non-consolidated payment to those on the maximum of their grade, to all HIAL staff. HIAL cannot implement pay awards more than that directed by government
HIAL has offered to engage with the trade union on the development of a recruitment and retention allowance. Thus far, the union has chosen not to engage and we have urged Prospect to re-engage in the hope of reaching a mutually agreeable solution.
In the event that strike action cannot be avoided, the airports mentioned above will close for the period of the strike and we will work closely with our airline customers to minimise the impact before and after any action.
Please accept our sincerest apologies for the undoubted inconvenience this will cause and we will keep you updated on our efforts to resolve the dispute.
