Who’s on strike today and how will it affect you? Daily update for March 9
Staff at two Scottish airports and driving examiners in England and Wales are set to take industrial action today.
Firefighters and security staff at Stornoway Airport and Sumburgh Airport will walk out in a dispute over pay.
A 5% pay offer – which is significantly under the rate of inflation – was rejected by members of the Prospect Union in October.
Those struggling to cope amid the cost of living crisis have resisted taking action for many months in the hope of avoiding disruption to their communities, Prospect said
But no ‘substantive’ offer is said to have been made since by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited or the Scottish government, which owns the company.
Staff at eight other Highlands and Islands airports will also be striking on different days across the month.
It emerges after similar action by Unite members at HIAL in February.
Jane Rose, Prospect Negotiation Officer, said: ‘Our members in Fire and Security ensure airports across the highlands and islands operate safely and securely for the communities and businesses that they serve.
‘They do not deserve the substantial real terms pay cut that is currently on offer.’
She added: ’However, we are in the worst cost of living crisis in 40 years and both HIAL and Scottish Government have completely failed to try and deliver a pay increase that properly addresses that. As such we have no option but to take this action.’
Meanwhile, workers at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency are set to walk out amid a similar ongoing dispute over pay.
Today’s action involves driving examiners in south-west England and Wales who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union.
Previous rolling regional strike action across the DVSA cost an estimated £2.8 million, it’s reported.
‘The more ministers choose to ignore members’ concerns over low pay, the more angry our members become’, PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka has warned.
‘Our members cannot choose to ignore the cost-of-living crisis.’
The government has warned that driving tests may be disrupted today, but theory tests will not be.
More than 100 workers contracted to clean and refuel buses for First Bus were also planning a walk-out in Glasgow and Aberdeen today.
But strike action has been suspended while Bidvest Noonan workers are balloted on a new pay offer. Initially, they were offered just a 2% rise.
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