Unite the union can confirm that workers employed by helicopter services firm CHC Scotia are taking part in strike action today (Wednesday 22 November) as part of an escalating pay dispute.

Unite represents over 60 workers at the Aberdeen airport based company which also has operations at Humberside and Norwich airports. Unite members across the three airports voted in favour of industrial action by 80.4 per cent on a 95 per cent turnout.

The strike action at all three airports starts today with the rolling programme ending on 17 December at Aberdeen airport (see notes to editor). There is also a continuous overtime ban in effect from 00.01am on 29 November.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s members across Aberdeen, Humberside and Norwich airports working for CHC Scotia have been left with no option but to take strike action.

“Our members will not accept a significant real terms pay cut. CHC Scotia must substantially improve its offer to reflect the cost of living crisis.

“Unite is dedicated to defending and enhancing our members’ jobs, pay and conditions and the workers at CHC Scotia have their union’s full support.”

The dispute centres on CHC Scotia’s staggered pay offer of 2.5 per cent backdated to April this year followed by five per cent backdated to 1 November, and thereafter a 3.5 per cent increase in 2024. The offer was emphatically rejected by 79 per cent of members. The broader inflation figure (RPI) stood at 11.4 per cent in April.

Unite represents workers including aircraft engineers, aircraft mechanics, aeronautical engineers and other skilled trades in helicopter maintenance.

CHC Scotia primarily provides helicopter support to the offshore energy market, search and rescue (SAR) for major operators including Shell and Petrofac. The company also provides services to offshore windfarms.

Unite industrial officer John Clark said: “Unite’s members are rightly angry at being offered 2.5 per cent backdated to April at a time when inflation was in double figures.

“The company haven’t listened to its workforce and our members will continue to take strike until they do. We hope that the first round of strike action focuses the minds of management to do what is required to resolve this dispute or it could escalate further.”