McArthur calls for airport strike compromise to avoid disruption to folk festival

Responding to yesterday’s announcement that a strike date set by Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) working for HIAL coincides with the first day of the Orkney Folk Festival, the county’s MSP Liam McArthur said he is “alarmed” by the clash of dates.

The MSP has said, since the announcement he has been in talks with representatives from the union representing the ATCs and Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) and also Scottish Ministers to see what can be done to avoid the action taking place on the newly announced date of May 23.

Kirkwall Airport is to be affected by the strike, as are the airports run by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL), in Dundee, Inverness, Wick, Sumburgh, Stornoway, and Benbecula. The strike action will last for 24 hours seeing Kirkwall Airport close to air traffic. Action short of a strike is also ongoing.

The union representing the ATCs, Prospect, has said the announcement of the new date comes following the breakdown of talks held last week.

Speaking yesterday, Mr McArthur said: “It is hugely frustrating that talks between the union and HIAL have broken down again. Agreement between both sides seems as far away as ever.

“While any disruption to our lifeline services is a concern, I am alarmed that the proposed strike date clashes with the start of the Orkney Folk Festival.

“This is an absolutely key event in the Orkney calendar, with performers and visitors flying in from all over the country and beyond. If all flights are cancelled, this will inevitably impact on the success of the festival.

“I have been in touch with the unions, HIAL and Scottish Ministers over the course of today, urging all sides to do what they can to avoid this damaging action taking place. A resolution to the dispute is long overdue, but the priority at this stage would be to find an alternative date for any strike action.”