Airport operator wants talks with union

Regional airport operator HIAL is urging trade union Prospect to resume talks to prevent a strike next week.

On Friday the union said security workers would hold a 48-hour strike from midday on 7th April at all HIAL airports including Sumburgh.

Eighty-seven per cent of members voted in favour of striking, with an 85 per cent turnout.

Prospect said the staff of HIAL’s security company Airport Management Services Ltd, should be on equal terms and conditions as other airport staff.

But HIAL said the call for a near 30 per cent pay increase was unreasonable, however is wanting to negotiate.

Managing Director of HIAL, Inglis Lyon said: “Despite our earlier efforts to engage Prospect, and to identify areas where a compromise could be reached, the union has yet to respond.

“We are therefore contacting the union to once again invite them to talks. We have shown a willingness to engage with the union and we are prepared to consider more realistic claims from them. However, we cannot accede to demands for a near 30% pay increase.”