McArthur responds to union ballots on HIAL pay offer

Responding to the announcement that staff-members at Highlands and Islands Airport Ltd. (HIAL) balloted by Prospect and Unite trade unions have voted to accept an enhanced pay offer from HIAL, Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has said:

“This is good news, but once again begs the question why the Transport Minister took so long before taking action. Had she acted sooner, HIAL management and unions could have reached an agreement months ago, avoiding some of the disruption we have seen on these lifeline air services.

“Given today’s announcement, however, I would urge Loganair to reinstate the services that have been suspended. I know from constituents who have been in touch how much of an impact the loss of routes between Orkney and Inverness and Shetland has had. There seems no good reason why this disruption should continue and I hope Loganair will do the right thing and restore these lifeline links”.