Members of the union Unite working at Aberdeen Airport have voted to strike in a row over the closure of the defined benefit pension scheme and pay.

Strike action was supported by a majority of 88.3 per cent on a 79.5 per cent turnout, after a 60-day consultation on the closing of the scheme, due to shut on 14 April, has been extended to accommodate further discussions.

However according to Unite, the consultation broke an Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) agreement to keep the scheme open to existing members, made in 2016, an agreement refuted by the AGS Airport.

A spokesperson for Aberdeen International Airport said: "It’s important to note there is no such thing as an ACAS agreement. The trade unions are referring to an agreement made with the company in 2016 and which AGS has honoured in full."

The scheme closure will also affect members at Glasgow and Southampton airports as all three airports are owned by AGS Airport Limited group.

Unite regional industrial officer, Shauna Wright, said: “After this resounding result in favour of strike action at Aberdeen airport, AGS should be left in no doubt about the strength of feeling among Unite members.”

Wright added that while progress has been made on the pay issue, AGS Airports has offered a 3 per cent increase for Aberdeen and Glasgow airports, the pension scheme closure remains a sticking point.

“We recognise the movement on pay by AGS, but the sticking point remains the attack on our members’ pension scheme. Talks through Acas are ongoing and Unite, once again, encourages the company to use this period constructively to find an agreeable resolution to this dispute,” she said.

“But, if the company don’t, then they know that our members are prepared to fight to protect their hard earned pensions through strike action or action short of strike during the busy holiday season.”

The spokesperson added: “Clearly we’re disappointed at the result of the ballot, particularly as many staff will have cast their vote based on the initial pay offer of 1.8 per cent which was subsequently increased to 3 per cent.

"This was in line with the demands of the unions. During talks at ACAS, the company also significantly increased its offer of compensation to pension scheme members, however, we remain open to dialogue and talks are set to continue.

"In the event of industrial action we have robust contingency plans to ensure there would be no disruption for our airlines and passengers."

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