Edinburgh Airport Fuel Tanker Drivers Call Off Planned Strike

Drivers of fuel tankers at Edinburgh Airport have canceled a planned strike during the upcoming holiday season, following the acceptance of a revised pay agreement. The Unite union announced that its members had “overwhelmingly” supported a fresh proposal presented by North Air on Friday. Employees had previously declared their intention to strike for 19 days across the Christmas and New Year period, having turned down an initial 4.5% pay rise. The union had previously cautioned that the industrial action had the potential to disrupt certain domestic and long-haul flight operations. North Air, the exclusive fuel supplier for specific routes at the airport, has a workforce of 57 employees there. Unite had previously alleged that the company had not put forward an enhanced offer to address several years of wage increases that fell below the rate of inflation. However, a vote conducted among members during the weekend resulted in the approval of the offer made on Friday. This agreement includes the original 4.5% increase being applied retroactively to August, alongside enhancements to the shift allowance and the Saturday overtime pay rate. Furthermore, the company’s bonus program has been enhanced as part of this settlement, according to Unite. Carrie Binnie, an industrial officer, stated: “Unite’s membership at North Air overwhelmingly backed the improved pay offer. We are pleased to have secured a negotiated pay deal which reflects the hard work and skills of our membership at Edinburgh Airport. The pay deal means that the scheduled strike over the festive season is off and the dispute is over.” A spokesperson for Edinburgh Airport commented: “We’re pleased that Unite and North Air have reached an agreement.”