Air traffic controllers at Highlands and Islands airports have backed taking industrial action over a pay dispute.
Members of Prospect union rejected a 2% pay offer earlier in the year.
“Near unanimous” support for action emerged in a ballot.
Scottish Government-
The union said pay offer failed to “close the substantial gap” between Hial and the rest of the air traffic industry in the UK and across Europe.
Emergency talks between both sides are due to take place on Thursday in a bid to resolve the dispute.
David Avery, Prospect’s negotiations officer, said: “There is an international shortage of air traffic controllers.
“Hial rates of pay have fallen significantly behind the other air traffic providers in the UK and this is now having an impact on operations.
“Members want Hial to address this issue now before they fall even further behind.”
A Hial spokesman said: "Prospect air traffic control (ATC) members were balloted separately and rejected the pay settlement.
“Hial made a pay award offer to all staff which was accepted following an overall ballot of trade union members and paid to everyone at the end of September, backdated to 1 April 2018 and saw colleagues (including ATC staff) receive increases of up to 3% in line with Scottish Government pay remit guidelines.
“Prospect ATC members were balloted separately and rejected the pay settlement.
"Prospect have indicated that they seek a double-
Prospect said the dispute is separate to the row over centralising air traffic services in Inverness.
Hial also runs Inverness, Tiree, Islay, Campbeltown and Dundee airports.
Air traffic controllers vote for industrial action
12 November 2018
