HIAL to table offer to resolve security staff dispute

THE PROSPECT trade union, whose members staged a 48-hour walkout last week, has welcomed airport group HIAL’s pledge to submit a formal offer to its members in an attempt to bring the industrial dispute to an end.

HIAL managing director Inglis Lyon confirmed that a formal offer would be tabled to security staff employed by its subsidiary AMSL. He hopes it will “provide the basis for a meaningful, constructive dialogue” with the union.

Prospect national secretary Alan Denney said he was pleased there had been progress following last week’s action. The union says HIAL has failed to agree equal pay, holidays and sick pay since bringing security in-house in 2009.

“We look forward to receiving a written offer and entering into a constructive dialogue with HIAL on the basis of this,” Denney said. “We hope this will lead to a swift resolution of our dispute.

“The legal mandate for further strike action remains, but if HIAL makes a reasonable offer which addresses our objective of securing equal treatment for AMSL workers, we should not need to exercise that option.”

Lyon said it had “always been the intention of the company to address the concerns of security staff, but it is impossible to do so under the threat of industrial action”.

Disruption to services in and out of HIAL’s 11 airports – including Sumburgh – was minimised, with management stepping in to carry out security duties.

“Given that the 48-hour strike has now passed, without causing major disruption for passengers, we are now in a position to resume discussion,” Lyon said.

“It is important that we resolve this issue as quickly as possible. The threat of further industrial action is in no one’s interests, particularly as we approach the busy summer season. We hope the union will set aside talk of further strike action and work with us to reach agreement.”