More than 800 staff across five companies at Glasgow Airport are poised to vote on strike action amid disputes over pay and working conditions, threatening severe travel disruption during the busy summer period.
Holidaymakers face the looming threat of strike action at Glasgow Airport this summer, with over 800 workers from five different companies embroiled in disputes over pay and working conditions. The union Unite has warned that unless these issues are resolved swiftly, ballots for industrial action could be held within the next two weeks. The stakes are high, as any walkouts could severely disrupt airport operations, potentially grounding both planes and passengers.
The conflicts involve staff from Glasgow Airport Ltd, ICTS Central Search, Swissport, Menzies Aviation, and Falck. Unite’s industrial officer, Pat McIlvogue, indicated that strikes could commence by mid-July if negotiations fail to yield satisfactory results. Among the dissenters, more than 100 Swissport workers are resisting changes to their rotas, which have been described as undesirable due to their unpredictable nature, leading to concerns about work-life balance and chronic fatigue among employees.
Additionally, around 250 workers at ICTS Central Search are striking over understaffing and working conditions, claiming these issues coupled with inadequate pay are untenable. Others, such as 120 employees at Glasgow Airport Ltd and 50 Falck firefighters, have also rejected a proposed pay rise of just 3.6%. Menzies Aviation workers have gone further, declining an offer that included a basic uplift of 4.25%, highlighting dissatisfaction across multiple fronts.
The broader context reveals a trend at Glasgow Airport: workers are becoming increasingly vocal about their pay and conditions. Unite recently reported some successes; for example, OCS Group employees accepted an improved pay deal with an 11.11% increase over two years, a significant achievement that contrasts sharply with the more meagre offerings currently faced by other groups. Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, has emphasised that the companies involved are profitable and capable of providing fairer pay. She pointed out the hypocrisy in their unwillingness to meet reasonable pay demands while boasting lucrative earnings.
This ongoing situation reflects a wider pattern of unrest within the airport’s workforce. Previous negotiations have seen strike actions called off under pressure, such as at Glasgow Airport, where substantial agreements were made after earlier disputes. Yet the pressing unresolved issues regarding pay, particularly in a summer period that typically sees increased traveller numbers, mean that tensions remain high.
While companies like Swissport maintain they are in constructive dialogue with union representatives, the potential for strikes looms large. As the situation develops, the outcomes of union ballots and ongoing negotiations may well dictate the operational status of Glasgow Airport in the coming weeks.
📌 Reference Map:
- Paragraph 1 – [1], [6]
- Paragraph 2 – [1], [3], [5]
- Paragraph 3 – [2], [4]
- Paragraph 4 – [2], [7]
- Paragraph 5 – [1], [6], [7]
- Paragraph 6 – [1], [3], [5]
- Paragraph 7 – [3], [6]
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is current, dated 7 June 2025, and discusses potential strike action at Glasgow Airport over pay disputes. Similar disputes have occurred in the past, notably in June 2023, involving workers at Glasgow Airport Ltd, ICTS Central Search, Swissport, Menzies Aviation, and Falck. For instance, in June 2023, workers at Glasgow Airport Ltd rejected a 4% pay increase and a £500 one-off payment, leading to potential industrial action ballots ahead of the summer holiday rush. ([glasgowtimes.co.uk](https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/scottish-news/24369818.glasgow-airport-workers-rejected-increased-pay-offer/?utm_source=openai)) However, the current narrative provides updated information, indicating that the union is considering balloting over 800 workers from five companies, suggesting a broader scope of potential strike action. The inclusion of specific companies and the potential scale of the strikes indicate that this is a fresh development. The report is based on a press release from Unite the union, which typically warrants a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Sharon Graham, Unite's general secretary, and Pat McIlvogue, Unite’s lead industrial officer for the aviation sector in Scotland. These quotes are consistent with previous statements made by these individuals in similar contexts. For example, in June 2023, Sharon Graham commented on the rejection of a pay offer by workers at Glasgow Airport Ltd, stating that the company is extremely profitable and can afford to make a better offer. ([glasgowtimes.co.uk](https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/scottish-news/24369818.glasgow-airport-workers-rejected-increased-pay-offer/?utm_source=openai)) The consistency of these quotes across different reports suggests that they are reused content.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Independent, a reputable UK news outlet. The inclusion of direct quotes from union leaders adds credibility to the report. However, the reliance on a press release from Unite the union introduces a potential bias, as the union may present information in a manner favourable to its position. Despite this, the source's overall reliability remains high.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative's claims about potential strike action at Glasgow Airport are plausible, given the history of similar disputes in the past. The report mentions that if disputes are not resolved, the union will move towards holding votes on industrial action within two weeks, which aligns with standard union procedures in such situations. The inclusion of specific companies involved and the potential scale of the strikes adds credibility to the report. However, the reliance on a press release from the union introduces a potential bias, as the union may present information in a manner favourable to its position.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative is current and discusses potential strike action at Glasgow Airport over pay disputes, involving over 800 workers from five companies. While the source is reputable, the reliance on a press release from Unite the union introduces potential bias. The inclusion of direct quotes from union leaders suggests reused content from previous statements. Given these factors, the overall assessment is OPEN with medium confidence.
