Prestwick’s freight boom and hard work by staff is rewarded with increased jobs and pay rises for over 400 staff

By Doug Maclean – Aviation Editor.

As a former Trade Union representative and manager in the aviation industry I read the words of the Trade Union Unite and Prestwick Airport management with enormous admiration and satisfaction.

I worked for over 40 years all over the UK and in several other countries. Most of my time I was shift working so I recognise the rigour of that working environment. My patient children could tell you that I seldom knew of it was Monday or Christmas Day.

Each day was simply a working day or a day off. Within the working day I could be rostered for Morning, Day, Afternoon or night shift on a constantly changing basis.

I understood the pride of Unite when they said yesterday “the enhanced offer will see the vast majority of members pay rise from 5.1 up to 8 per cent alongside an extra day annual leave for this year, and improvements to shift payments and pension contributions.”

An airport senior manager explained to Ayrshire Daily News how agreement had been reached. "The final agreement involved reshaping the original proposal, which had initially been rejected. Through discussions with the union, it became clear that shift payments were a key area of focus for employees. In response, we reviewed and revised the structure of these payments to deliver greater value to the majority of employees within the bargaining unit.”

The manager continued “The revised structure broadens eligibility and enhances the overall value of the shift arrangement. These enhancements were achieved through a restructuring of the original pay package and did not require any additional funding beyond the amount originally allocated."

Unite commented “progress was made in wage negotiations leading to a new offer being overwhelmingly backed by the membership.”

How refreshing to see that a Trade Union and a management can still sit down together and work out the best way to reward the vast majority of the staff working very hard, often involving anti social times and over any of the 7 days in a week.

The new freight business that has come to Prestwick has created more than 250 full time jobs. Without the staff flexibility to be available when flights run late, or are planned to arrive in the middle of the night, the airport could never have marketed Prestwick to huge international freight companies and airlines.

The Prestwick airport manager said “We are pleased to have reached agreement on this pay award and would like to thank our employees for their continued hard work, professionalism, and commitment. Their contribution remains fundamental to the ongoing growth and success of the business.”

Siobhan McCready, Unite industrial officer said “Unite will continue to build on the progress made at Prestwick airport because there is still more work to be done to get our members the best possible working environment but this deal is a step in the right direction.”

The pay deal backdated to 1 April also guarantees the real living wage (RLW) of £13.45 per hour for all permanent staff. Unite represents workers including airport security, firefighters, airfield operators, ground crew, ground handling, cargo, customer services, and cleaners.

What a great advert for sensible negotiations that had the common aim of recognising a job well done by all the airport staff. It is this sort of “can do” attitude that epitomises the spirit of Prestwick airport and makes it such a great place to work.

A win for all at Team Prestwick.