Both sides in the bitter north airports dispute were claiming victory last night – with full union support for a 48-hour walkout but no major disruption to flights.
Business leaders, however, are becoming increasingly concerned about the long-term economic implications of the current strike and the threat of further stoppages.
The Prospect union claimed its membership had soared because of solidarity over a six-year battle for better pay and conditions.
It currently represents about 120 of the 160 security staff employed by the Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (Hial) subsidiary Airport Management Services Ltd (AMSL), which provides security at 11 terminals.
Hial, which runs the airports on behalf of the Scottish Government, said it was “saddened and disappointed” by the 48-hour stoppage, but insisted the industrial action had not affected passengers.
Peace talks remained grounded yesterday and the focus is increasingly turning to the Scottish Government, which controls the purse strings.
Hial claimed it was “business as usual” and a steady flow of passengers appeared to heed advice to travel light and arrive 15-20 minutes early for flights from Inverness yesterday.
Striking workers formed a picket line at the airport entrance after walking out to applause from some passengers. A banner spelling out their grievances was hoisted on a wall.
Hial managing director, Inglis Lyon, said he was disappointed by the strike in the wake of “concessions” and “considerable movement” in negotiations last week.
He said he believed a “material change” to the union’s October 2014 pay claim could pave the way for a solution.
Mr Lyon added: “There was certainly something worth considering further over a longer period of time.”
Prospect union national secretary Alan Denney later claimed Hial had offered “nothing to consider” in response to the union’s pay and conditions claim.
“I’ve driven a 300-mile round-trip from Edinburgh on several occasions in the last three months to come to meetings here that lasted 10 minutes because he (Mr Lyon) had nothing to say to me,” Mr Denney said.
“He blamed the Scottish Government, but I don’t believe anything has been put to the Scottish Government.”
Mr Lyon later added: “This matter is now with the Scottish Government. Our pay policy is governed by the Scottish Government pay policy.
“We reached the position, Alan and I, and that position was communicated to the Scottish Government.
“For whatever reason, and he knows best, he decided to pull an arbitrary deadline on it, effectively saying to the Scottish Government you must come back to me by a particular time and they haven’t.”
Security checks continued throughout yesterday at Hial airports at Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick.
The scheduled service between Dundee and Stansted was suspended for the duration of the strike.
Mr Denney claimed yesterday that Prospect membership within AMSL had risen 25% in six weeks.
Its numbers within Hial have grown from 30, six years ago, to the current 125.
The union has threatened further strikes.
Stewart Nicol, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce said: “I’m concerned about the impact of these strikes on the Highland economy.
“We’re more reliant on these air routes than other parts of the UK and I think the message that’s going out with industrial action is not helpful.
“It’s just at the start of the tourist season and it’s putting out the wrong message to people who we want to attract to the region for lots of very good reasons.”
The current strike is scheduled to last until noon tomorrow.