Placing Glasgow Airport under municipal ownership could be a “really good investment” for the city, a Glasgow MP has said.
Labour MP Paul Sweeney made the comment as airport staff walked out for a second 12-hour strike following a dispute with the airport owners over pay and pensions.
Yesterday’s strike which took place between 4am and 4pm resulted in no disruption for passengers, according to owners AGS Airports.
Read more: Unite announce further strike at Glasgow Airport
Speaking to the Evening Times, Mr Sweeney said the strike reflects a “wider issue” regarding the ownership of the airport.
“Maybe this is an opportunity for the city region to consider taking the airport into municipal ownership,” he said.
Mr Sweeney referred to a previously unsuccessful bid by the municipality to take over the airport in 2014.
Glasgow could mirror the success of Manchester Airport, which is one of the few in the UK still in the ownership of local councils, and represents a “big generator of revenue”, Mr Sweeney said.
“Given the cash strapped nature of local government, it could actually be a really good investment for the city potentially,” he added.
Read more: Glasgow Airport strike action following talks breakdown
In regards to the strike action, Mr Sweeney said AGS have tried to “railroad through” new terms and conditions for workers related to the final salary pensions and pay.
“It was pretty shocking to hear the dispute, the way they’ve been doing it, its a bit of an over aggressive negotiation by the airport really.
“They don’t have any meaningful compromise on it,” he said.
A spokesperson for AGS Airports, which owns and manages Glasgow airports and Aberdeen International – where staff have also participated in strike action – said: “We have been in talks since January and, despite attending Acas, there has been no willingness whatsoever on the part of the unions to engage in a constructive negotiation.
“We want to resolve this dispute and if they are serious about getting back round the table then we would call on them to end the strike.
“Until they do our focus will be on ensuring they do not cause disruption for passengers and airlines.”
Read more:Glasgow Airport launched warning system to spot drunk passengers
Unite the union have since announced further industrial action to take place at Glasgow Airport for Monday June 24 between 6am and 10am.
This action adds to other planned strikes for June 14 between 4am and 8am and June 21 between 8.30am and 2.30pm.
Pat McIlvogue, Unite regional industrial officer, said: “Unite has repeatedly offered to meet Glasgow Airport management at any time, at any place and under any auspices to find a resolution to this dispute. This is not a matter of debate, it’s a fact.”
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