Glasgow Airport. Photo: Colinmthompson / Shutterstock Unite, Scotland's biggest aviation trade union trade union with roughly 150,000 members, has announced that a possible "disruption by 170 ICTS central search workers could hit World Cup (June 11-July 19) and Commonwealth Games (July 23 to August 2.)
Unite announced today, April 30, 2026, that its ICTS central search members based at the airport in Glasgow "are being balloted for strike action in a pay dispute."
The workers, says Unite, "have emphatically rejected an unacceptable pay offer from the company," and the ballot will open on May 1 and close on May 21.
Should the ballot be successful, then strike could begin "at the peak of the summer holiday rush coinciding with the World Cup, and the Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow."
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham: “Unite has warned ICTS that our members at Glasgow airport deserve a better pay offer than what is currently on the table. Unite will back our ICTS members every step of the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
The aimed workers do passenger searches in designated areas, process them for flights, and are also part of mobile patrols, controlling access posts, screening deliveries, and also handling emergency services.
Carrie Donoghue, Unite industrial officer: “Unite has made it clear that there should be a far better pay offer which reflects the critical role our members perform at Glasgow airport. The reality is that the airport simply can’t operate without them. It is ICTS that is putting the traveling public at risk during an expected very busy summer due to the World Cup and Commonwealth Games.”