Transport / Sumburgh Airport to stay open during March HIAL strike action
SUMBURGH Airport will stay open as normal during upcoming strike days next week, it has been confirmed.
Strikes are being called by the Prospect union across the Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) network over a number of days this month.
But HIAL has now confirmed that strike action due to take place at Sumburgh on 8 and 9 March will not result in the airport closing to flights.
Only Sumburgh, Barra, Campbeltown and Tiree are to remain open as normal during strike days, while Kirkwall will operate inter-island flights only on 10 March.
Prospect has, however, also called upon its members to take action short of a strike later in March which could affect Sumburgh.
This will include withdrawal of good will, work to rosters, an overtime ban, refusal of non-ambulance extensions or special openings.
Sumburgh Airport was closed for three days in a row last week when members of another union, Unite, went on strike in HIAL-wide action.
It was also closed for two days in December in a Unite strike.
Both strikes from Unite and Prospect – who represent staff in airport fire services and security – relate to a wider dispute over a pay increase.
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