Aberdeen Airport security workers accept improved pay deal

Security workers employed by ICTS at Aberdeen International Airport (ABZ) have accepted an enhanced pay offer, bringing an end to a dispute that had threatened disruption during the peak summer travel season.

The agreement follows an improved last-minute offer from ICTS HBS Security, which was made shortly before workers were due to begin 14 days of strike action throughout July and into August. As a gesture of goodwill, Unite suspended the planned industrial action while members voted on the revised proposal.

The accepted agreement includes a 6.5% increase in basic hourly pay, alongside an improved overtime rate. Unite described the settlement as an inflation-beating deal for its members.

Improved pay offer ends Aberdeen Airport dispute

The dispute centred on pay negotiations involving ICTS security staff responsible for passenger security screening at the airport. Earlier this year, Unite warned that industrial action could affect airport operations after workers rejected an initial offer.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s members at ICTS stood firm throughout this dispute. The enhanced pay offer was a direct result of our members being prepared to take lengthy strike action. It’s another win for Unite boosting jobs, terms and conditions in the aviation industry.”

According to Unite, ICTS (UK) Limited reported profits of £7.6 million in 2025, compared with £4.4 million the previous year.

The union also confirmed that two other recent pay disputes involving ICTS central search workers and Aberdeen Airport Limited employees have now been successfully resolved.

Unite Industrial Officer Paula Buchan said: “The pay deal for ICTS security workers is an inflation beating pay award which we are pleased to have delivered for our members.

“The workers stood firm and refused to back down. The dispute is now over and it’s the latest pay success for workers based at Aberdeen Airport.”