Zarah ChoudharyUnite has secured pay deals for North Air tanker drivers based across Scottish airports, the aviation union confirmed today.
Around 100 tanker drivers and airfield operators who provide refuelling services for airlines at Aberdeen, Edinburgh Glasgow, Inverness, Kirkwall (Orkney), Sumburgh (Shetland) and Stornoway will benefit from a basic minimum wage increase of 4.5%.
A 10% increase to the shift allowance will also be applied along with a boost to the company’s driver training and training champion bonus schemes.
This could see an increase by up to 150% from £200 to £500 and from £400 to £1,000 in the company bonus schemes.
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “Unite has delivered good wage deals for North Air tanker drivers across all Scottish airports.
“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.”
As part of the successful pay negotiations, Unite has further 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.
Industrial action at Edinburgh Airport across the festive season by North Air tanker drivers was averted with an enhanced pay offer, which was backed by the membership.
The Edinburgh deal also involved a 4.5% basic increase backdated to August and included several significant improvements to the overall pay package.
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.”
Workplace Journal reached out to North Air for comment prior to publication.
