Union Says Airline Places Country At Security Risk

Qantas Airways Ltd. staffers at Sydney International Airport are threatening to strike next month, citing unsafe working conditions and security concerns.

The airline's baggage and ramp workers claim they are operating in a dangerous environment following cuts to staff numbers, said Australia's Transport Workers Union.
Strike action against Australia’s largest carrier is inevitable, said union leader Tony Sheldon, and may start as early as next month.

Sheldon told Bloomberg News a total of 500 staffers may stop work if Qantas doesn't address the complaints by the union on behalf of the employees, according to Bloomberg.

The labor union claims Qantas’ plan to outsource labor in sections of the airport is a dangerous move, which risks the safety of thousands of Australians.

"These workers often wait for proper clearance for up to six months, while no one knows anything about their background. This is inappropriate, and presents a real threat to security," said Sheldon.

The union adds security is also lacking for new hires, and endangers all workers. "Labor hire workers don’t have background checks before being allowed into extremely sensitive areas of the airport," Sheldon said. "They are only covered through a temporary visitor pass while their application is being processed -- meaning potential terrorists could be slipping through the cracks."

In some parts of Australia, he adds, there is no security badging or background check required to work on airports.

"In Queensland a flight catering operation of labor hire workers were found to be working without any security clearance at all, not even a temporary visitor pass. This is a blatant breach of security," said Sheldon.

The union asserts the nature of Labor hire arrangements -- particularly the high turnover of staff -- means employees are often untrained, and often do not know rules, or will not report security matters.

"This susceptibility to intimidation and pressure was seen in 2006 when a group of labor hire workers were told to unload a potential bomb from a Virgin flight and told their jobs depended on it," Sheldon said.

"National security, the traveling public and the economic profitability of the airline industry is clearly being put at risk by labor hire arrangements," Sheldon added.

Bloomberg was unable to reach Qantas officials for comment on these issues.

FMI: www.twu.com.au/index.html, www.qantas.com.au/regions/dyn/home/qualifier-region-au