Kirkwall and other regional airports -Benbecula, Dundee, Inverness, Stornoway and Sumburgh –  run by HIAL (Highland and Islands Airports Ltd) were closed yesterday, 23rd of May, as air traffic controllers, members of the Prospect trade union  took strike action.

Inglis Lyon, Managing Director of HIAL said:

“Throughout this process, HIAL has been fully committed to resolving this dispute. We are disappointed that our efforts to provide possible solutions have been rejected by Prospect and its claim has not altered and remains a wage increase of at least 10%.

HIAL claims that Prospect is promoting  misleading information by comparing pay   differentials between HIAL staff and controllers working at airports in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London.

Urging staff to moderate its pay claim,  Inglis Lyon said:

” We believe HIAL air traffic controllers are well remunerated and have already accepted a pay increase backdated to April 2018.”

Prospect and HIAL will be meeting on Monday 27th of May.

David Avery, Prospect negotiator  said:

“We did not want to have to take this action today, but our members have lost patience with the lack of engagement from HIAL and Scottish Ministers.

“We are pleased with the strong response from our members which was exactly what we expected given the overwhelming response to the strike ballot.

“The emphasis is now on the employer and on Ministers to come back with a serious offer so that we can move forward.”

Reporter: Fiona Grahame