Union bosses have again threatened strike action over an ongoing pay dispute for air traffic controllers at Highlands and Islands Airports.
Talks between airport chiefs and the Prospect union broke down yesterday despite the involvement of ACAS – the government’s advisory, conciliation and arbitration service.
Prospect representatives will meet with its Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) committee next week to discuss further industrial action.
The two organisations met as part of talks to end the dispute after air traffic controllers voted overwhelmingly to implement action, after feeling aggrieved that their pay packets were less when compared to other air traffic controllers across the nation.
Controllers initially sought further action in order to seek their desired pay increase, rejecting a 2% offer and instead holding out for a rise of 10%.
A strike was planned for last month but was called off for further talks.
David Avery, Prospect negotiations officer, said: “Our members agreed to cancel strike action earlier in the year to allow the company to develop new proposals.
“It is disappointing that after three meetings no new proposals have been tabled and no new money has been made available.
“Prospect members have been extremely patient with HIAL. That patience is now exhausted. We will now move to further industrial action including strike.
“We urge Scottish Ministers to intervene and come forward with additional funding to resolve this dispute.”
HIAL managing director Inglis Lyon said: “We met with Prospect and ACAS for the third time in an effort to find a mutually acceptable solution to the pay dispute with air traffic controllers.
“HIAL is bound by the existing Government pay policy and simply cannot implement a pay award that greatly exceeds it.
“We are disappointed that proposals put forward by HIAL were not accepted by Prospect, and that talks today failed to deliver a resolution.
“HIAL is committed to resolving this dispute and we would urge the union to work with us to deliver a reasonable and appropriate remuneration package.”
