TRADE union Unite will ballot 200 Edinburgh airport workers for strike action after they rejected facilities provider OCS Group’s “poverty pay” offer.

The essential staff, who aid passengers with reduced mobility issues, including assisting with wheelchairs and ambilift vehicles, were offered only the minimum Scottish Living Wage of £12.60 an hour.

Warning the ballot, which runs until August 19, could result in strike action by September, Unite industrial officer, Carrie Binnie, said: “For OCS to put the bare minimum on the table is unacceptable. 

“The workers are essential to the airport and they should be valued and rewarded properly. 

“If our members are forced into strike action, it’s because they won’t accept poverty pay.” 

Union general secretary Sharon Graham added: “Unite’s members working for OCS based at Edinburgh airport deserve far more than what the company is offering, which is the lowest possible that they can get away with. 

“Unite will not tolerate low pay and our members will have the full backing of their union in the fight for better jobs, pay, and conditions.”

OCS Group has been contacted for comment.