Workers who aid passengers with mobility challenges expected to stop during busy summer season

Unite has confirmed today (22 June) a key group of workers based at Glasgow Airport have emphatically voted to take strike action in a dispute over pay, and that the initial action will occur in July.

Around 70 Unite members employed by OCS Group UK Limited voted by 95 per cent in favour of taking strike action on a 91 per cent turnout.

Unite’s members previously rejected a ‘poverty pay’ offer by 96 per cent which would have taken basic pay to £10.90 per hour. There has been no improved pay offer to date by OCS.

Unite has further confirmed that 24-hour strike action will now start on 6 July and end the following day with a further stoppage taking place on 11 July (see notes to editor).

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s OCS members are rightly taking a stand against what we have already described as a poverty pay offer. Unite will always challenge this. The emphatic mandate in support of strike action should send a clear message to OCS - it’s time they put an increased offer on the table in new negotiations. Unite will always stand up for our members fighting for better pay, terms and conditions.”

OCS Group workers aid passengers with reduced mobility issues. This includes assisting passengers with wheels chairs and ambilift vehicles for travellers at Glasgow Airport. The company recorded a profit after tax for the period ending 31 December 2021 of £19.6m.

Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, added: “The OCS Group have point blank refused to make our members a reasonable offer or to in fact increase their original offer of £10.90 an hour. Unite has repeatedly asked for meetings with the company to discuss the pay dispute because what’s currently on the table is totally unacceptable to our members.

 It's very disappointing that strike action will now take place in July when we have settled a number of good wage deals through negotiation with other companies based at Glasgow Airport. Our members have been left with no choice but to take this step. It will undoubtedly hit the summer schedule at Glasgow Airport and the blame for any disruption will be entirely the company’s.”

Last week, Unite announced around 50 Falck firefighters who perform fire safety functions at Glasgow Airport are set to receive an annual pay increase on average worth £3,262. A further 100 workers employed by Glasgow Airport Limited will receive a 7 per cent increase on basic salary rates and allowances along with a £1,000 one-off payment. 

Around 250 workers at ICTS Central Search also based at Glasgow Airport will receive a phased increase worth up to 11 per cent while ground services crew employed by Menzies Aviation will receive up to 11 per cent on basic pay.

ENDS

Notes to Editor

Commencing at 04:00 hours on 6thJuly 2023 and continuing up to 7th July 2023 when the action concludes at 03:59 hours;

Commencing at 04:00 hours on 11th July 2023 and continuing up to 12th July 2023 when the action concludes at 03:59 hours’