Glasgow airport ground staff celebrate pay win

Ground services crew employed by Menzies Aviation at Glasgow Airport have accepted a new one-year pay deal confirmed as the ‘best deal’ across the company’s UK operations.

Unite confirmed today (May 18) that up to 200 workers including dispatchers, allocators, airside agents and controllers have accepted an offer by Menzies Aviation, which will raise the pay of workers by up to 9.1 per cent backdated to January this year.

The deal also resolves a long-standing pay disparity between ground services crew employed by Menzies Aviation based at Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. Other enhancements include a lower threshold to access premium overtime rates, increased holiday entitlement based on service, and the reinstatement of up to five days of additional holidays for those with twenty-five years’ service.

Unite further confirmed that Menzies Aviation will explore the introduction of a UK-wide sick pay scheme in 2022.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “This deal is a testament to our brilliant reps who have ensured that up to 200 workers at Glasgow Airport have secured better pay, terms and conditions by being a member of Unite.

“This further demonstrates this union’s determined work to improve wages and conditions across UK aviation.”

Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, added, “Hailed as the best in the sector, this deal is a fantastic result which ensures members’ pay keeps pace with living costs and removes a historical pay disparity between workers at Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. The pay award sets a benchmark for Menzies Aviation across the UK.”

By Andrew Brady