CHRISTMAS flights at a Scottish airport could be grounded because of an industrial dispute.
Fuel tanker drivers at Edinburgh Airport are on the verge of taking strike action, according to their union, over a pay row with their employer, North Air.
The company provides refuelling services at Scotland’s largest airport, for routes including United Airlines’ service to New York and the Emirates service to Dubai.
Unite said they had rejected a 4.5% pay rise offer from North Air, which they said came after “years” of below-inflation increases.
Members have backed strike action – but mediation talks through Acas have failed to yield a better offer, the union added.
No dates have been mentioned, however Unite said strikes would cause “widespread disruption over the festive season” unless North Air improved its offer soon.
Carrie Binnie, a Unite 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.”
Unite’s general secretary Sharon Graham added there was “no excuse” for North Air not to give better pay rises.
The firm made post-tax profits of £1.6 million last year and had shareholder funds of £6.8m, according to filings with Companies House.
North Air was approached for comment.
