Strikes Averted
Unite Members Accept New Pay Deals, Calling Off Glasgow Airport Summer Strikes
Key Points
Unite said Glasgow strike threats would have had a major knock-on effect because the summer period includes “Scotland‘s return to the World Cup for the first time in decades,” alongside heavy holiday travel.
While Unite warned action might still be possible at Aberdeen, some Aberdeen-related strike threats were already resolved: 70 workers at Aberdeen International Airport and 70 ICTS workers there agreed new pay deals.
A separate dispute involving Unite members at Edinburgh Airport was still unresolved and could lead to industrial action if no deal is reached.
For the Menzies Aviation ground-services unit covered by the Glasgow deal, Unite and employers specified the affected roles as dispatchers, allocators, airside agents and controllers.
Nearly 400 workers at Glasgow Airport have called off planned strike action after accepting improved pay deals, averting what could have been major disruption during one of Scotland's busiest travel summers in years. Staff employed by security firm ICTS and ground handler Menzies Aviation voted to accept new offers brokered by Unite the Union, ending a standoff that had threatened chaos for travellers heading to World Cup destinations and incoming visitors for the Commonwealth Games.
The resolution is part of a wider series of deals across Scottish airports. By June 15, workers at Aberdeen and Edinburgh had also reached agreements, covering roughly 1,000 staff in total. One small dispute remains: a ballot for ICTS hold baggage security staff at Aberdeen closes June 17.
What Workers at Glasgow Actually Won
ICTS staff secured a two-year deal with a 5% rise in basic pay and shift allowances, backdated to January 1, 2026. They also get a one-off extra bank holiday day. In 2027, pay will rise again in line with inflation plus an additional uplift. It is a significant step up from the offer workers originally rejected as "unacceptable."
Menzies Aviation workers — dispatchers, allocators, airside agents and controllers — got a 4.4% rise backdated to January. From July 1, they receive at least 5% more, with some roles getting as much as 11.1%. Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said the outcome "was only achieved by the workers being prepared to take strike action if necessary."
A Summer of Sport Raised the Stakes Dramatically
The timing of the dispute gave workers unusual leverage. Scotland's men's football team is heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup — the first time in decades. That means a surge in outbound travellers flying to North American host cities. A strike at Glasgow Airport could have disrupted tens of thousands of fans at the worst possible moment.
Glasgow is also hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games from July 23 to August 2, welcoming 3,000 athletes from 74 nations. Analysts estimated the Games alone could bring a £150 million direct economic boost to the city, according to Glasgow 2026. Any airport shutdown would have hit that figure hard and damaged Scotland's international reputation as a host.
Aberdeen Still Has One Unresolved Security Ballot
Not every dispute is settled. While around 70 Aberdeen International Airport staff and 70 ICTS central search workers agreed new deals on June 12, a ballot for ICTS hold baggage security (HBS) staff at Aberdeen is still open. It closes June 17. Unite industrial officer Paula Buchan said "the ball is in ICTS' court" to make an improved offer before that deadline.
The Aberdeen ballot covers a smaller group of workers than the Glasgow dispute. But baggage security staff are critical to airport operations. A "yes" vote on June 17 would not trigger an immediate walkout, but it would give Unite the legal mandate to call one. Travellers flying through Aberdeen should watch for updates after that date.
Edinburgh Deal Lands, Setting a High Bar for Aviation Pay
On June 15, Unite confirmed a separate two-year deal for more than 400 workers at Edinburgh Airport Limited. Those workers get either £1,800 or 5.5% in 2026 — whichever is higher — followed by 4% or RPI plus 0.5% in 2027. Edinburgh Airport reported profits of £144.4 million in 2024, a figure Unite used publicly to justify its demands.
Across all three airports, the deals set what industry observers call an "inflation-plus" standard for aviation pay in the UK. Q1 2026 saw a record 5.79 million passengers at Scottish airports, according to Civil Aviation Authority data. With passenger numbers rising and profits healthy, unions appear to have found a model that works: ballot, hold firm, then settle just before the summer peak.
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