Security workers at Glasgow Airport are being balloted for strike action in a pay dispute, raising concerns over disruption during the busy summer period.
Glasgow Airport (GLA) could face disruption later this summer after more than 90 passenger assistance workers employed by ABM were balloted for industrial action in an ongoing dispute over pay.
The ballot, organised by Unite the Union, opened on 5 August and will close on 20 August. The dispute involves customer service agents, Ambilift drivers and allocators responsible for assisting passengers with restricted mobility (PRMs) throughout the airport.
According to Unite, the company has offered a pay increase that would leave some employees earning only 15 pence per hour above the Scottish Living Wage of £13.45. The union said the offer is unacceptable and forms part of its wider campaign to secure pay rates significantly above the real living wage across all employers operating at Glasgow Airport.
Passenger journey disruption possible if strikes proceed
If members vote in favour of industrial action, disruption could affect the airport’s passenger assistance services, particularly for travellers requiring additional support during their journey through the terminal.
Unite said ABM Aviation reported profits of almost £7 million after tax during 2025, an increase from £5.95 million the previous year.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite will not tolerate low ball pay offers made to our members at Glasgow Airport. ABM is a wealthy company making millions off the hard work of our members and they deserve better. We will back them all the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
Carrie Donoghue, Unite Industrial Officer, added: “Unite is determined to ensure that all employers at Glasgow Airport pay significantly beyond the real living wage as a minimum.
“ABM has made an offer which scrapes past this minimum which is unacceptable. We have no option but to ballot our members on strike action in order to get an acceptable increase from this profitable company.”
The latest dispute follows the resolution of two separate pay disputes at Glasgow Airport in June, when nearly 400 workers employed by ICTS and Menzies Aviation accepted improved pay offers negotiated by Unite, removing the threat of summer strike action involving those workforces.
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