Strike action at Aberdeen Airport must not disrupt medical flights taken by patients from the islands, a local MSP has warned.
Shetland MSP Tavish Scott has written to the Unite trade union urging it to ensure the lifeline trips to hospitals in Aberdeen are not hit by the proposed industrial action this summer.
But the union’s Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty said it had no intention to “put life or limb in danger” and criticised Mr Scott for not having “picked up the phone”.
Unite announced this week that 170 of its workers were planning three days of 24-hour industrial action at the airport over the next six weeks, after the move was backed by 88% of members in protest at a proposed pay deal.
In his letter, Mr Scott said: “The strike action would affect not only leisure and business travellers, but also NHS patients travelling from Orkney and Shetland for treatment on the mainland.
“Any avoidable delay in receiving essential treatment is unacceptable.
“Many of these passengers have been waiting for their appointments for months if not years, and have no way to access the treatment and specialists they need at home
“Travelling out with the isles for medical treatment is already stressful for vulnerable isles residents without the added anxiety caused by cancellations.
“Rescheduling appointments is not easy for those living in remote communities and patients may have a lengthy wait for another opportunity to travel.”
The Liberal Democrat urged the union to “carefully consider” a compromise that would enable flights to and from the islands to continue.
Mr Rafferty said the union was “disappointed” that Mr Scott had not discussed the detail with Unite before raising his concerns.
He added: “It is clearly not Unite’s intention to put life or limb in danger and if essential services that require dispensation are necessary, we will have those discussions with the relevant parties involved in the dispute.
“As of today no one from the company involved in the dispute has approached Unite to seek dispensation.
“If Tavish Scott had been that concerned he could have picked up the phone and would have been told that we have a meeting at ACAS on Monday.”