Fears over travel chaos to this summers’ World Cup for Scottish fans are mounting after a union warned that 900 airport workers across Scotland will vote on industrial action in a dispute over pay.
Aviation trade union Unite said several ballots would open this week over summer strike action in pay disputes with companies based at Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow airports.
Unite said that if the ballot is successful, strike action could start during the busiest period of the summer holidays, coinciding with the with the World Cup in North America.
Four ballots are scheduled to conclude on May 21, with ICTS employees at Aberdeen given until May 28 to cast their votes.
The union confirmed that ICTS personnel, who handle passenger security screening, manage access control points, conduct mobile patrols, and inspect all deliveries, are among those being balloted.
Edinburgh Airport Limited staff are also voting, including airport ambassadors, airside support officers, engineering teams, and management personnel, alongside approximately 280 ground handling workers employed by Menzies Aviation.
Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, said: “Hundreds of workers across Scotland’s largest airports are heading towards summer strike.
“The companies involved are all highly profitable. They can easily afford to give our members fair and reasonable pay offers but have decided to put boosting profits before people.”
Pay disputes have erupted across major Scottish travel hubs – including Edinburgh Airport
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Unite industrial officer Carrie Donoghue warned that any industrial action would bring flights and passengers to a standstill during what is expected to be an exceptionally busy period.
She added: “The blame for this situation arising will lie entirely with these extremely wealthy companies.
“They can end these disputes immediately, and in doing so they can give the travelling public peace of mind.”
Last week, a spokesman for Glasgow Airport said: “We are aware of ongoing talks between Unite and ICTS and are keen to ensure that this dialogue results in a positive resolution.”
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Around 20,000 Scottish supporters are expected to travel across the Atlantic this summer
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Around 20,000 Scottish supporters are expected to travel across the Atlantic for the Tartan Army’s first World Cup appearance since 1998.
Scotland will end their almost three-decade wait for World Cup action with ties against minnows Haiti and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
They will conclude the first stage of the tournament in Miami with a mouthwatering fixture against five-time champions Brazil – who they were narrowly defeated by 2-1 in their last finals appearance in 1998.
But Scotland fans face the grim prospect of spiralling costs to follow the Tartan Army across North America this summer, with soaring travel expenses piling onto already controversial ticket prices.
Unite accused the aviation companies of deciding to ‘put boosting profits before people’
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GETTYSupporters’ groups have warned many fans risk racking up serious debt simply to watch their team at the tournament.
Paul Goodwin, co-founder of the Scottish Football Supporters Association, said: “There will be a lot of second mortgages and costs being put on credit cards. You can laugh about it, but there is a worry that some people are actually going to overextend themselves.”
He described the situation as “another huge disappointment” and “a kick in the goolies to ordinary fans”.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke has already urged supporters not to put themselves under major financial strain just to attend the World Cup.
Mr Goodwin added: “There will still be a huge amount of Scots there, but while they’re there, it just feels as if they’re going to be fleeced.”