Planned industrial action by security staff at Aberdeen Airport has been called off after employees, represented by the Unite union, voted to accept an enhanced pay offer. The agreement resolves a dispute with ICTS HBS Security, the contractor responsible for security services at the airport, thereby averting 14 days of strikes scheduled for July and August.
The revised compensation package for ICTS HBS Security workers includes a 6.5% increase in basic hourly pay, alongside improved rates for overtime. Unite had previously suspended the proposed strikes as a gesture of goodwill, allowing its members to consider the new offer.
The union has confirmed that the pay deal represents an above-inflation increase for its members. For context, the UK Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation rate was 4.0% in December 2023 and 3.2% in March 2024, providing a favourable comparison for the 6.5% pay rise.
Sharon Graham, General Secretary of Unite, commented on the outcome: “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.”
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ICTS (UK) Limited, the parent company of ICTS HBS Security, reported a significant increase in its financial performance, with profits of £7.6 million in 2025, up from £4.4 million the previous year, as stated in the source material.
Paula Buchan, Unite Industrial Officer, also lauded the settlement, stating: “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.”
This resolution marks the latest in a series of successful pay negotiations involving Unite at Aberdeen Airport. The union has also recently concluded separate pay disputes involving ICTS central search staff and employees directly employed by Aberdeen Airport Limited.
