Travel Disruptions Loom at Aberdeen and Glasgow Airports as ICTS Workers Vote to Strike

Aberdeen and Glasgow airports face imminent travel disruptions as around 300 ICTS central search workers have voted overwhelmingly in favor of strike action over a pay dispute. The decision was confirmed by Unite, Scotland’s leading aviation union, on Tuesday, July 2nd.

At Glasgow airport, nearly 200 ICTS workers supported the strike with a decisive 98.5 percent vote. Similarly, at Aberdeen airport, around 100 workers showed strong support, with 89.7 percent backing the action. Unite warned that unless ICTS makes significant concessions in the coming days, the strike could begin in mid-July, coinciding with the peak of the summer travel season.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham stated that ICTS workers at both airports are demanding fair compensation. Despite ICTS being a profitable company, recording £3.2 million in profits for 2023, it has only offered a four percent pay increase backdated to January 2024 and a £500 one-off payment, which the workers have rejected.

The affected ICTS workers play a critical role in airport security, handling passenger searches, mobile patrols, access control, delivery screenings, and emergency services. Their strike would significantly impact airport operations, highlighting the importance of their roles in maintaining airport security and efficiency.

Pat McIlvogue, Unite’s lead industrial officer for aviation in Scotland, criticized ICTS for pushing the dispute to the brink of a strike instead of negotiating a fair deal. McIlvogue emphasized that without these workers, the airports cannot function, and called on AGS, the airports' owner, to step in and resolve the conflict.

Unite's call for AGS to intervene comes after months of stalled negotiations, with ICTS canceling scheduled talks in June. As the strike action looms, travelers through Aberdeen and Glasgow airports are advised to stay updated on the situation, which threatens to disrupt summer travel plans significantly.