Unite celebrates another Glasgow Airport win

Unite has secured OCS Group workers based at Glasgow Airport a one-year pay deal, the UK’s leading aviation trade union confirmed today (May 20).

Up to 100 workers are set to benefit from a 10.2 per cent wage rise backdated to the beginning of May after Unite members accepted the latest offer from the company. The wage deal also means that the OCS Group is the latest employer at Glasgow Airport to pay as a minimum the real living wage of £9.90 per hour.

OCS Group workers aid passengers with reduced mobility issues including assisting with wheels chairs and ambilift vehicles for travellers at airports.

The OCS Group deal follows a string of successes for Unite in the aviation industry in Scotland. In April, around 120 Loganair cabin crew benefited from a £700 one-off payment along with a minimum pay increase of £1,000 from September in a total package that will see cabin crew receive an 11.2 per cent increase on basic pay over 2023.

And this week, Unite also delivered a 9.1 per cent pay deal for up to 200 workers including dispatchers, allocators, airside agents and controllers at Menzies Aviation based at Glasgow Airport.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “This is another great win by Unite at Glasgow Airport, this time for around 100 OCS Group workers. It’s the latest example in a string of successes for Unite in securing better pay, terms and conditions for our members across Scottish airports. Our response to this living costs crisis is to drive up pay and we are succeeding in delivering this for workers.”

Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, added, “The deal for OCS Group workers represents a 10.2 per cent wage uplift for this year. We have also ensured that the OCS Group is now a real living wage employer adding to the growing number at Glasgow Airport. We are delighted to get this deal over the line as it will assist members during these tough times.”

By Andrew Brady