Airports

Unite anger over outsourcing plans by Glasgow Airport

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Unite the union has reacted angrily to the announcement by Glasgow Airport that it plans to outsource its security and fire brigade services.

Glasgow Airport launched a consultation yesterday (18 September) on the transfer of nearly 300 workers to ICTS (UK) who operate airport security functions and Falck who perform fire safety functions under amended TUPE regulations.

The consultation is scheduled to close on 17 December.

The outsourcing move follows the summer dispute involving Unite members at Glasgow Airport where it was reported by the Sunday Post (23 June) that replacement staff brought in by ICTS to operate baggage X-ray scanners may have missed more than 260 potential threats in two days at Glasgow and Aberdeen airports.

Unite believes the outsourcing is a move by airport management designed to drive down costs potentially at the expense of public safety.

Unite regional industrial officer, Pat McIlvogue said: “It’s astonishing after the widespread media reports regarding the security breaches at Glasgow Airport during the summer dispute that the airport’s management now see fit to completely outsource its security and fire brigade operations.

“The outsourcing is a betrayal of the decades of skills, knowledge and loyalty of Unite members at Glasgow Airport. It’s a move designed to drive down costs which will potentially put public safety directly at risk.

“Glasgow Airport management have, once again, endeavoured to try and find a way to break our industrial strength by outsourcing these sensitive airport operations to employers with dubious track records. We will be meeting our members immediately to discuss our response, which will be robust.”

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