Business / Strike shuts Sumburgh Airport
SUMBURGH Airport is to remain closed today (Monday) as staff go on strike over pay.
The action, which is taking place across the Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) network, is being led by members of the Unite union.
Three of HIAL’s 11 airports – including Sumburgh – are closed today, with a further strike day planned for Thursday (22 December).
Also closed are Barra and Benbecula, while Stornoway and Kirkwall will operate on a limited basis.
The rest of the airports are open as normal.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham previously said: “These workers provide a lifeline, connecting the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
“The work they do is vital in maintaining these communities. They should therefore expect and deserve a pay increase that reflects that.”
The last offer from government owned HIAL comprised of a five per cent basic pay award to all staff earning less that £80,000, and a four per cent basic pay award to all staff earning more that £80,000.
HIAL managing director Inglis Lyon previously said the company “deeply regretted” the strike action and added: “Against the backdrop of unprecedented financial pressures, we presented an enhanced pay offer to colleagues that maximised the flexibility within the Scottish Government’s pay policy, which HIAL is bound by.”
Medical and other emergencies will be serviced from all HIAL airports on both strike days.
Post is flown to Sumburgh every day and with Royal Mail strikes on Friday and Saturday (23/24 December) there is set to be disruption to parcels and letters getting to Shetland in the lead up to Christmas.
However, it is understood that Royal Mail has contingency plans in place that should minimise the impact on its operations from the airport strikes.
Meanwhile there is a knock-on effect at Tingwall Airport, with operator Airtask saying on Facebook that with Sumburgh closed staff need to use Kirkwall as a diversionary route today.
But Kirkwall Airport is only open until 1pm today due to the strike, limiting the timeframe for flights to and from Tingwall.
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