North Air tanker drivers who supply fuel to airlines operating at Edinburgh airport are on the verge of taking strike action in a row over pay, writes Chris Tindall.
The Unite union said the dispute is related to a rejected 4.5% pay offer by the company, following years of below inflation pay increases and that its members had overwhelmingly backed strike action in a drive to secure a better pay offer.
Despite recent talks having been held at the conciliation service Acas, the union said there had been no enhanced pay offer by the company to avert widespread travel disruption.
It said it had warned North Air that unless there was movement over pay in the coming days then it would have no option but to issue strike dates, which would directly hit peak festive season flights.
North Air provides refuelling services for domestic and international airlines who fly into and out of the nation’s largest airport in Edinburgh.
A number of key routes would be impacted by strike action as the company is the only fuel supply company providing services to domestic and long-haul flights from Edinburgh airport.
Routes including United Airlines to New York and Emirates to Dubai, along with Loganair’s domestic routes to the islands, could be directly impacted.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “North Air is a profitable company and there is no excuse for not making an improved pay offer to our tanker drivers.”
Carrie Binnie, 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.”
North Air did not respond to our request for a comment.
