Union calls for embattled airline to use the furlough scheme to save jobs in Highlands
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Union Unite Scotland is urging Loganair to use the extended furlough scheme to prevent job losses at Inverness and other Scottish airports.
The airline has warned up to 165 jobs are at risk at Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness – a quarter of Loganair’s workforce across the four airports.
These losses are in addition to the 100 jobs Loganair has already served notice on.
In Inverness, where Loganair has temporarily suspended its Manchester and Birmingham flights and earlier this week cancelled its Belfast service, 20 out of a total o 53 jobs are at risk.
It follows the loss of some 20 baggage handler jobs in Inverness as the aviation sector continues to suffer the impact of the Covid-19 crisis.
Unite believes that by utilising the five-month extension of the furlough scheme, job losses can be averted, but is also calling for more government support for “an industry on life support”.
Unite industrial officer Pat McIlvogue said: “The news of a further 165 jobs potentially at immediate risk is absolutely shattering. But we believe that, by working together, we can mitigate the need for compulsory redundancies.
“It’s essential we explore and utilise all the levers available to save jobs including the extension of the job retention scheme.”
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