Wick John O'Groats Airport Will Be Involved In Strike Action
5th March 2019
Prospect air traffic controllers in the Highlands and Islands to strike on 26th April 2019 over pay.
Prospect air traffic controllers working for Highlands and Islands Airport Limited will be taking strike action on the 26th of April in relation to their 2018-19 pay offer. Airports that will be directly affected are Dundee, Inverness, Wick, Kirkwall, Sumburgh, Stornoway, and Benbecula.
Action short of a strike will commence on the 1st of April 2019 and continue throughout the summer to the 31st of August. This will include instruction to work to rosters; refusal of non-medical extensions; an overtime ban; and withdrawal of good will.
Prospect will also seek to agree a protocol with HIAL to ensure cover for emergency incidents during the period of the strike.
David Avery, Prospect negotiations officer, said"Prospect members have agreed to delay any strike action until after the Scottish school holidays have concluded. Our members do not want to stop their friends and neighbours visiting their families during the school holidays.
"I urge HIAL and Scottish Ministers to use the additional time members have given them to bring forward real proposals to resolve the dispute rather than the same offer which has already been rejected twice."
PHOTO
Wick airport from above.
Related Businesses
Related Articles
The Highland Council and Eastern Airways have agreed a number of changes to scheduled flight times on the Wick-Aberdeen air route. The changes have been carefully considered to reduce cancellations and restore public trust.
The summer holiday season is in full swing, with people flocking to their holiday destinations in record numbers. Heathrow Airport has experienced a staggering 14.7% year-on-year growth in passenger numbers and a 17.5% increase in aircraft movements.
The Highland Council is delighted to confirm a highly successful second year for Public Service Obligation (PSO) flights between Wick and Aberdeen. The period from April 2023 to March 2024 has seen a substantial increase in passenger numbers, with several months seeing over 1,000 passengers using the service, and overall the service has seen year on year growth of 25%.
The Highland Council and Transport Scotland, who have been working with local stakeholders to reinstate flights from Wick John O'Groats Airport, are delighted to announce that Eastern Airways have been awarded a contract to provide a year-round service to Aberdeen. The service, which will operate under a Public Service Obligation (PSO), will provide a direct connection to the airport hub at Aberdeen for 3 years.
The centralisation of air traffic services in the Highlands was the fore again yesterday at the petitions committee of the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 24th February 2021. The importance of the issue for outlying areas in terms of connectivity and employment were highlighted.
PSO To Protect Wick Flights Could Take Up To A Year To Put In Place. Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, David Stewart, is urging the Scottish Government to look seriously at interim measures to save Wick air routes after being told state aid for services could take up to a year to put in place.
Wick John O'Groats Airport has been hit hard with the news that Loganair is to axe the flights between Wick and Edimburgh Bookings had already dropped in the last year and the Cornavirus has made things worse. The service will cease at the end of March.
Flybe's franchise partner Eastern Airways has flights to Wick from Aberdeen and would have been in danger if the company had gone bust. Flybe has agreed £110m rescue deal.
The Air Discount Scheme (ADS) which provides cheaper air travel for islands and north Highland residents has been extended. The scheme month has been renewed until 31 December 2020.
Prospect has confirmed arrangements for balloting air traffic controllers at Highlands and Islands Airports Limited on industrial action. The ballot will open on 11 February and close on 1 March.
