The Unite union is balloting workers at Aberdeen International Airport (AIA) on possible strike action which could lead to major disruption at the terminal over the school summer holidays.
With strikes at ScotRail already threatening chaos on Scotland’s railways in a dispute over so-called driver only trains, the airports in both Aberdeen and Glasgow are being targeted by Unite in a row over pensions.
Unite said about 480 of its members at the two airports, including firefighters as well as people working in security, airfield operations and airside services, would vote in the coming weeks on whether to launch a campaign of industrial action.
It added its members had already overwhelmingly rejected proposed changes to pension schemes operated by the terminals’ owner, AGS Airports.
Unite regional officer Pat McIlvogue said: “Unite has continually tried to negotiate a remedy with AGS over the proposed pensions schemes changes that avoids the need for industrial action and disruption.
“Unite put forward a proposal, which would save the company £3.5million-a-year.
“Despite our repeated attempts to reach an amicable solution, our efforts have been met with intransigence.
“Unite has no option but to ballot members for industrial action to protect pension provisions … and to strongly oppose AGS’s proposed imposition.”
The ballot will close on July 13, with the union warning that possible industrial action could disrupt holiday flights over the summer.
Unite held a consultative ballot last month, following AGS proposals to make changes to pension schemes which the union said would “adversely impact” on retirement incomes.
It tabled a counter proposal to AGS bosses which would have maintained a defined benefit scheme but reduced the employer’s contribution from 44% to no more than 21%.
According to Unite, that plan was rejected by AGS and the airports’ owner then proposed cutting the cost rate further to 17% – saving another £640,000.
AGS is a partnership between Ferrovial and Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets. It was founded in 2014 for the purpose of Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports.
Unite said the AGS pension proposals were also causing serious concern at Southampton, where members were also considering an industrial action ballot.
A spokesman for AGS said: “Discussions have been ongoing between the company and union representatives regarding changes to the existing final salary – defined benefit – pension scheme since October 2015.
“We remain committed to holding further discussions with union representatives in order to reach a solution that is acceptable to all parties.”