Who is on strike today? Daily update for March 9th

Staff at two Scottish airports and driving examiners in England and Wales will take industrial action today.

Firefighters and security personnel at Stornoway Airport and Sumburgh Airport will withdraw in a dispute over pay.

A salary offer of 5% – well below inflation – was turned down by members of the Prospect Union in October.

Those struggling with the cost-of-living crisis have resisted taking action for many months in hopes of avoiding disruption in their communities, Prospect said

But no “substantial” offer is said to have been made since then by either Highlands and Islands Airports Limited or the Scottish Government, which owns the company.

Staff at eight other airports in the Highlands and Islands will also go on strike on different days of the month.

It emerges after a similar action by Unite members at HIAL in February.

Jane Rose, Prospect Negotiation Officer, said: “Our members in Fire and Security ensure Highland and Island airports operate safely and securely for the communities and businesses they serve.

“They do not deserve the significant real pay cut currently being offered.”

She added: “However, we are in the midst of the worst cost of living crisis in 40 years and both HIAL and the Scottish Government have failed utterly to push through a pay rise that adequately addresses this. Therefore, we have no choice but to take this action.’

Meanwhile, workers at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency will leave amid a similar ongoing dispute over pay.

Today’s action involves driving examiners in South West England and Wales who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union.

Previous ongoing regional strike action across DVSA has cost an estimated £2.8million, it says.

“The more ministers choose to ignore members’ concerns about low wages, the angrier our members become,” warned PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka.

“Our members cannot ignore the cost of living crisis.”

The government has warned that driving tests today could be disrupted, but theory tests will not.

More than 100 workers tasked with cleaning and refueling buses for First Bus also planned to work in Glasgow and Aberdeen today.

However, strike action has been suspended while workers at Bidvest Noonan vote on a new salary offer. Initially, they were only offered a 2% increase.

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