Members of the union Unite employed at Aberdeen and Glasgow airports are planning further strike action over a pay and pension dispute.

Unite have scheduled the Aberdeen walkout for 27 and 28 June and the Glasgow walkout for 21, 24 and 26 June, following initial strikes at both airports on 7 and 10 June.

The dispute centres on the airport’s owners, AGS Airports Limited, decision to close the defined benefit pension scheme and a disagreement over pay.

AGS’s decision to close the scheme reportedly goes against an agreement with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) to keep the scheme open to existing members.

At the latest stage of negotiations, AGS made a 3 per cent increased pay offer, but refused to open discussions on the possibility of not closing the pension scheme.

In April, Unite members at Aberdeen Airport supported strike action by 88.3 per cent, with 79.5 per cent turnout, over AGS’s decisions.

Unite regional industrial officer, Shauna Wright, said that members will now take further action “following this latest attempt to divide and conquer by AGS”.

She continued: “We want the public to understand that our members do not take this action lightly. But, AGS have repeatedly set preconditions to any negotiations by stating they will not reopen the consultation on the pension scheme, which breaks our Acas agreement with them.

“Unite members remain strong and resolute, and they are determined to stand united with their fellow members in Glasgow who are facing the same attack on their pay and pension scheme by AGS.

“For the record, Unite wants to reaffirm that we are always open to meaningful negotiations to seek a remedy to this dispute at any time, any place and under any auspices. The ball is in AGS’s court.”

The scheme is due to shut on 14 April.

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