Scottish Government will not intervene in airport dispute
24.06.08
The Scottish Government said yesterday that it will not intervene in a pay dispute between fire and rescue staff and the operator of nine state-owned airports. It said the row was a matter for union Unite and Highlands and Islands Airports (HIAL), depite the union saying yesterday that it felt its dispute was with the Government.
About 2,000 passengers have had their travel disrupted by 24-hour industrial action by firefighters yesterday, with a further strike planned on July 4. Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick airports have been closed. Strikes did not take place at Inverness or Dundee, which is operated by HIAL through a subsidiary company.
Ahead of the strikes, Unite had said the issue of awarding its members more than a 2% rise was one for the government to sort out. However, the Scottish Government said it was a matter for HIAL and the union and urged the parties to come to a ‘swift resolution’.
HIAL said it could not offer any more than the 2% offered because that was the limit for public sector pay rises. However, Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said HIAL had told the union it was willing to be flexible. He said: ‘They have offered to discuss a range of ways forward. I hope we will see the union, workers and the company sit down and take these issues forward because this is an issue that should be settled and settled soon.’
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