On Tuesday, Unite the union confirmed 100 North Air tanker drivers and airfield operators who provide refuelling services will all benefit from a basic minimum wage increase of 4.5%.
The workers – based in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Kirkwall (pictured below), Sumburgh and Stornoway – will also see a 10% increase to their shift allowance applied, along with a boost to the company’s driver training and training champion bonus schemes.
Kirkwall Airport in OrkneyThe union said the boost could see an increase by up to 150% from £200 to £500 and from £400 to £1000 in the company bonus schemes.
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Commenting, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham (below) said: “Unite has delivered good wage deals for North Air tanker drivers across all Scottish airports.
(Image: Jacob King/PA Wire) “The pay and recognition deals will help to drive up the jobs, pay and conditions not just at North Air but also across the aviation industry.
“The message to all airport workers is clear, if you want better jobs, pay and conditions – join Unite.”
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As part of the same pay negotiations, Unite also secured an extension of its existing recognition agreements with North Air at Aberdeen and Inverness airports to now include workers based at Kirkwall, Sumburgh and Stornoway.
Pat McIlvogue, Unite’s lead industrial officer for civil aviation, said: “Unite’s negotiated pay and recognition agreements with North Air means that tanker drivers and airfield operators are now receiving a significant boost to their pay packets.
“We now have a clear route to achieving even better wages and conditions for North Air workers going forward.”