More than 80 members of staff at Prestwick Airport in Glasgow, Scotland, have received an 18% pay rise, along with improvements to their terms and conditions.
Trade union Unite represented the employees, who work as airport security, firefighters, airfield operators, ground handling and cargo crew, customer service, and cleaners. The deal saw their pay rise to a minimum of £10.90 per hour to match the real living wage, and a minimum uplift of 6% this year.
Those earning £10.90 per hour will receive an additional £750 cost of living payment, while all other employees within the bargaining unit will get £1,250. The deal also secured a commitment to a regrading exercise, which will see many of the workers awarded an up to 18% pay rise.
In addition, all pay grades will receive a 4% pay increase next year, which is subject to review if inflation rises above 6% in January 2024.
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “Unite has secured significant improvements to the jobs, pay and conditions of our members at Prestwick Airport. It’s a deal which is worth up to 18% for some workers, and it ensures that all of them are paid the real living wage as a minimum.”
Siobhan McCready, industrial officer at Unite, added: “We are pleased to secure a pay deal at Prestwick Airport which delivers valuable benefits for Unite members. Basic pay, holidays and call-out payments have all been improved along with a guarantee of no zero hour contracts at the airport.
“All workers will also receive as a minimum the real living wage. It’s a deal overwhelmingly backed by our members and we are pleased to get it over the line to help them meet the cost-of-living crisis.”
Prestwick Airport was contacted for comment prior to publication.