Edinburgh Airport strike averted

Published on Sep 22, 2025, 9:07 am CDT

5 min read

Accessibility assistance staff at Edinburgh Airport (EDI) have voted to accept a two-year pay deal, ending the threat of industrial action that was slated to hit multiple 48-hour windows in September. Around 100 OCS Group passenger assistants, who help travelers with reduced mobility, backed the agreement on September 19, 2025. The settlement includes a 6.1 percent hourly pay increase effective January 1, 2025, improved overtime, a further 5 percent rise from January 1, 2026, and enhancements to sick pay. Airlines and the airport expect normal operations for special assistance services.

Key Points

Why it matters: Planned September stoppages are off, stabilizing PRM support at Scotland's busiest airport.
Travel impact: Pre-booked assistance and same-day requests should proceed as normal, with no strike-related service gaps.
What's next: A two-year deal gives labor peace into 2026, though other UK airport workgroups may still bargain.
OCS passenger assistants aid with wheelchairs, ambulifts, and boarding, supporting on-time operations.
Unite the Union says members backed the deal after suspending earlier strike dates to consider an improved offer.

Snapshot

Unite the Union confirmed that OCS Group's passenger assistants accepted a two-year package following weeks of dispute. The deal lifts hourly pay by 6.1 percent from January 1, 2025, improves overtime, then adds a 5 percent increase from January 1, 2026, alongside better sick pay provisions. The vote cancels all remaining September strike plans, removing a potential pinch point for passengers needing wheelchair or boarding support. Edinburgh handled nearly pre-pandemic volumes this summer, so uninterrupted special assistance staffing helps keep turnarounds steady and connections achievable. The agreement mirrors a wider trend of negotiated settlements in UK aviation services, reducing near-term disruption risk even as other bargaining rounds continue elsewhere.

Background

The dispute centered on pay and conditions for about 100 OCS Group workers who provide assistance for passengers with reduced mobility, a regulated service that underpins boarding, disembarkation, and gate-to-curb transfers. Unite balloted members over 48-hour stoppages scheduled throughout September, then paused action after OCS tabled an improved offer. Friday's ballot delivered a clear endorsement of the revised terms. The outcome follows other Scottish aviation settlements this summer, including ground-handling agreements that dialed down strike threats at major airports. For broader UK context on labor-related travel risks, see our recent coverage of London's transport actions in London Underground strikes, September 5 to 11 and airport staffing disputes such as Gatwick baggage screeners strike to hit late August.

Latest Developments

Edinburgh Airport strike averted after OCS staff accept two-year pay deal

On September 19, 2025, Unite said OCS passenger assistants overwhelmingly supported a two-year agreement that removes the need for industrial action. The package delivers a 6.1 percent uplift to hourly rates from January 1, 2025, plus higher overtime rates, followed by a 5 percent uplift from January 1, 2026, and improved sick pay. Earlier plans for rolling 48-hour strikes across September are now canceled. The decision safeguards continuity for passengers who require assistance from arrival at the terminal through boarding, including wheelchair service and use of ambulift vehicles at stands without jet bridges. Airlines and handlers can maintain scheduled turnarounds with fewer contingency workarounds, reducing the risk of missed connections for travelers who booked assistance.

Analysis

Labor peace in special assistance is disproportionately impactful because PRM workflows are tightly linked to departure punctuality and gate operations. When assistance staffing thins, boarding sequences slow, crew duty clocks keep running, and pushback slots can be lost. By locking in a two-year deal, Edinburgh reduces a systemic risk at a time when Europe's aviation ecosystem is still absorbing unrelated shocks, such as recent IT outages and scattered ground-handling disputes. The wage path, 6.1 percent from January 2025 and 5 percent from January 2026, roughly maps to a catch-up model many airport service providers have adopted since inflation spiked in 2022 to 2023. Crucially, improved overtime and sick pay signal movement on quality-of-life issues that influence retention in high-turnover roles.

The settlement also aligns with a pattern of negotiated outcomes across Scotland's airports this summer, suggesting unions and suppliers are finding middle ground before peak holiday periods. While this removes the immediate risk at Edinburgh, travelers should still track separate contract talks at other UK hubs and among different workgroups. If you connect via London or fly through other European gateways, disruptions can still arise from non-related issues. That said, special assistance at Edinburgh now has a clearer runway through 2026, which is good news for tour operators, cruise turnarounds via Scottish ports, and long-haul itineraries feeding into regional Scotland.

Final Thoughts

For travelers who rely on pre-booked mobility assistance, continuity at Edinburgh matters as much as airline schedules. With the new agreement in place, PRM services should operate normally through the autumn travel period and into 2026, reducing the chance of last-minute reflows at gates. Keep confirming assistance at the time of booking, arrive with a little buffer at peak times, and monitor airline messages for routine updates. For now, it is reassuring to see the Edinburgh Airport strike averted.