United Voice News
Cutbacks in security at Brisbane Airport will jeopardise the safety of workers and travellers coming in and out of the airport.
ISS Security, the company responsible for managing security at the airport, has been instructed to cut 750 hours from its roster every week.
LHMU Assistant Secretary Kerry Tomlinson said those hours were being slashed from the International and Jetstar terminals.
“What we’ll see now is less security checkpoints open, fewer staff on, longer queues and a greater likelihood of dangerous individuals or items getting through,” Ms Tomlinson said.
“There is huge pressure on security guards to get security checks done quickly to reduce long lines and there’s the potential for things to be missed when that pressure increases.
“It’s a very dangerous cost-cutting effort on behalf of the Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC), particularly when airport usage is at an all-time high.”
BAC’s own figures show it continues to record growth with approximately 1.6 million passengers passing through the Domestic and International Terminals over April - a 4.5 percent increase on April 2008.
A breakdown for April shows international passengers were up 6.9 percent and domestic three percent for the month.
“BAC is quick to crow when their numbers are up,” Ms Tomlinson said.
“Unfortunately, that hasn’t stopped them slashing the hours of security workers despite the increased usage of the terminals.
“It makes even less sense that these hours are being cut from the International Terminal, which has recorded such a strong increase in usage thanks to cheap airfares.
“BAC is taking a serious gamble with the safety of all passengers travelling in or out of Brisbane by slashing dollars from an already stretched service.
“We seriously hope they reconsider their position.”
