Update: Since this news story was published, the strike was cancelled following an agreement between North Air and Unite.
A spokesperson for North Air said: “We are pleased to confirm that we have reached an agreement with Unite on pay and that the planned strike at Edinburgh Airport has been called off.”
Unite, the aviation trade union, has confirmed that the Edinburgh Airport North Air fuel tanker drivers will take continuous strike action over 19 days in a pay dispute.
The pay dispute follows a rejected 4.5 per cent pay offer by the company, and refusal from North Air to re-enter pay negotiations with Unite. The strike action will take place from 05:00 on 18 December until 04:59 on 6 January.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary said: “North Air is a highly profitable company that can fully afford to make a fair offer to our members but has refused to do so. Unite will always support our members in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
With North Air being the only provider of refuelling services for domestic and international flights at Edinburgh Airport, the strike is set to impact many routes, with examples potentially being United Airlines to New York and Emirates to Dubai, along with Loganair’s regional routes.
“North Air has no concern for their workers or the travelling public,” commented Carrie Binnie, Unite industrial officer. “Unite has had no option but to confirm imminent industrial action. North Air now has very limited time to resolve this dispute. The company’s belligerence is at serious risk of causing widespread travel disruption at Edinburgh airport over the festive season.”
A spokesperson from North Air has commented regarding the upcoming strike action: “We are disappointed at Unite’s decision to proceed with industrial action at Edinburgh Airport. We successfully concluded negotiations with Unite at six other sites ahead of the annual review this summer, which has seen colleagues across the business receive a 4.5% increase in pay – significantly above current levels of inflation. We remain open to discussion and are committed to working with all parties to minimise the impact of any strike action over the festive period.”
Photo: Edinburgh Airport
