Airport fuel tanker staff announce Christmas strike

Fuel tanker drivers at Edinburgh Airport have announced a strike over the festive period as part of a pay dispute.

The Unite union said staff at North Air would walk out for 19 days during Christmas and New Year after rejecting a 4.5% wage increase.

North Air, which provides refuelling service for domestic and international airlines at Scotland's largest airport, said it was "disappointed" by the decision but that it remained open to talks.

Unite accused it of "refusing" to re-enter negotiations and warned that some long haul flights could be disrupted by the planned stoppage, due to start on 18 December.

North Air is the only fuel supply company for some long haul flights which include United Airlines' service to New York and Emirates' to Dubai.

LoganAir, which operates flights between Edinburgh and the Scottish islands, said it plans to operate a full and uninterrupted service throughout the festive period.

Unite said North Air had to make an improved offer to combat several years of below inflation pay rises.

In a ballot members overwhelmingly backed the strike action, which is scheduled to end on 6 January.

Industrial officer Carrie Binnie warned that North Air was risking "widespread travel disruption" by failing to come to the table and resolve the dispute.

She said: "North Air has no concern for their workers or the travelling public.

"Unite has had no option but to confirm imminent industrial action.

"North Air now has very limited time to resolve this dispute. The company's belligerence is at serious risk of causing widespread travel disruption at Edinburgh airport over the festive season."

A spokesperson for North Air said their offer was above the rate of inflation and had been accepted by colleagues at other locations.

"We are disappointed at Unite's decision to proceed with industrial action at Edinburgh Airport," they said.

"We successfully concluded negotiations with Unite at six other sites ahead of the annual review this summer, which has seen colleagues across the business receive a 4.5% increase in pay - significantly above current levels of inflation.

"We remain open to discussion and are committed to working with all parties to minimise the impact of any strike action over the festive period."

A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said contingency plans would be in place to minimise any risk of disruption.

They added: "We are disappointed that the two parties cannot reach a solution and urge them to continue discussions.

"We're working with our airlines to understand their contingencies to minimise passenger disruption."