Trade union Unite said tanker drivers employed by North Air, which supplies fuel to airlines operating at Edinburgh Airport, are on the verge of taking strike action over Christmas.
North Air provides refuelling services for domestic and international airlines that fly into and out of the nation’s largest airport in Edinburgh. The pay dispute relates to a rejected 4.5% pay offer by the company, following years of below-inflation pay increases.
Unite members have, in turn, overwhelmingly backed strike action in a drive to secure a better pay offer from North Air.
Unite said that despite recent talks having been held at the conciliation service Acas, there has been no enhanced pay offer by the company to avert widespread travel disruption.
Unite is now warning North Air that unless there is movement over pay in the coming days, it will have “no option” but to issue strike dates that would directly hit peak festive season flights.
Wellness and wellbeing holidays: Travel insurance is essential for your peace of mind
Out of the pandemic lockdowns, there’s a greater emphasis on wellbeing and wellness, with
Sponsored by Post Office
A number of key routes would be impacted by strike action, as North Air is the only fuel supply company providing services to domestic and long-haul flights from Edinburgh Airport. Prestigious routes including United Airlines to New York and Emirates to Dubai, along with Loganair’s domestic routes to the islands, could be directly impacted.
Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, said: “North Air is a profitable company and there is no excuse for not making an improved pay offer to our tanker drivers. Unite will always support our members in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
Carrie Binnie, Unite’s industrial officer, said: “Unite’s tanker drivers employed by North Air deserve a fair pay rise. They are highly skilled workers who provide a key service at Edinburgh Airport. Pay at North Air has not kept up with inflation despite the company being profitable.
“If strike action happens, which would cause widespread disruption over the festive season, then it’s on North Air’s heads. They are choosing to escalate this dispute, rather than choosing to resolve it, which they could do easily. Unless the company quickly comes to its senses, we will have no option but to issue strike dates in the coming days.”
In spring of this year, it was revealed that Edinburgh Airport’s average flight delay time was 21 minutes.
