
Issue No 113		28 September 2001

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News

Terror Shockwaves Hit Security Workers

By Andrew Casey

The LHMU Security Union's airport security delegates have called for an urgent national meeting to discuss the tragedy in America, and the implications for Australian airports and security workers.

"It's been of long standing concern to this union and its membership that security officers are among the lowest paid of airport staff," Jo-anne Schofield, LHMU Security Union Assistant National Secretary said .

In Sydney security guards screening passengers earn $13.04 an hour.

In Melbourne this year Security Guards at Ansett terminals, after a protracted union struggle, had a historic breakthrough, winning an 18-20 per cent pay increase for an enterprise bargaining agreement.

However the signing of this agreement with Group 4 Securitas, their employer, has been delayed because of the Ansett crisis.

The Group 4 Securitas workers were being paid between $12.31 an hour and S12.80 an hour screening passengers. Once the agreement is certified their pay will jump to between $19.06 an hour and $20.00 an hour.

In Melbourne, Chubb Security this week argued in the Industrial Relations Commission that their guards, who provide security for Melbourne's Qantas domestic airport and the International Airport, should not get the same pay increase won by Group 4 Securitas members working at the Ansett terminal.

LHMU Security Union Assistant National Secretary, Jo-anne Schofield says that though airport security guards are poorly paid the expectations of them are very high.

" There are strict guidelines and procedures set out in legislation which our airport security guard membership must follow to do their job properly," Jo-anne Schofield said.

" This includes regular training in airline safety standards, as well as keeping abreast of different types of dangerous or restricted items, and new forms of weapons technology.

" There are also strict protocols which apply to searching members of the public which must be followed. And these security workers are regularly audited by Department of Transport staff," Jo-Anne Schofield said.

" A few years back our union members applied to have airport security officer jobs regraded - in some cases we were stunned to find we had to battle the boss to get new improved standards.".

The LHMU Security Union believes that if we are to provide airport travelers with real security there is a need to go further.

" In particular our airport officer membership have raised concerns about poor equipment, low pay and the need for more formal accredited training," Jo-anne Schofield said.

" The LHMU is appealing to all the key security guard companies to work beside the union, in a co-operative manner, "Jo-anne Schofield, LHMU Security Union Assistant National Secretary said today.

" Together the union, and the security companies, have to argue for upgraded security contract tenders, higher security standards, better equipment, improved wages and training for security workers.

The LHMU Security Union believes that a national approach must be established to deliver better wages, better training and lower turnover rates.

" The LHMU Security Union will be taking these issues to our security industry delegates at the forthcoming national forum," Jo-anne Schofield said.

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  Issue 113 contents

Interview: The Custodian
Labor's arts spokesman Bob McMullan on the role government can play in nurturing national culture.

Media: Chucking a Wobbly
Veronica Apap meets Dan Buhagiar, the programmer of Labor Council's new online initiative, Wobbly Radio.

E-Change: 3.3 Unleashing a Networked Culture
Politics does not occur in a vacuum - it's is as much a product of its culture as it is an influence on it. In the post-Industrial Age how will this relationship change?

Unions: Are You a Terrorist?
Away from the talkback noise, Mark Hearn reports on how a Sydney workforce is taking up the cause of racial understanding and tolerance.

Organising: STAA Performers
Film industry workers are acting collectively to ensure they don't become Mexicans with Mobiles.

Workplace: Making Art Work
The Workers Cultural Action Committee is a community cultural development provider. What is this? And what does it mean for the union movement?

History: Creative Alliances
Neale Towart wanders through the archives to look at how unions' have worked with artists to promote progressive casuses.

Performance: Tales from the Shop Floor
Peter Murphy profiles Sydney's New Theatre and the role it has played in fostering working culture.

Review: Homegroan
In an extract from her new book, The Money Shot, Jane Mills argues that the local film industry needs more than patriotism to get bums on seats.

Satire: PM Pleads To Nauru: Take Our Aborigines Too
In the wake of Nauruďż˝s acceptance of the Tampa refugees, Australian Prime Minister John Howard has struck a new deal with the small island nation to take our Aborigines as well.

» Abbott Stacks Commission on Election Eve

» Trades Hall to Be Fit for the Arts

» Olympic Builders Honoured in Oil

» Terror Shockwaves Hit Security Workers

» The Ansett Phoenix Rises

» 'The General' Makes Ansett Stand

» One Dollar Workforce Highlights Workcover Concerns

» Email Workers Saved

» Union Power Gets Tilers Paid In Full

» NSW Nurses (Pro)Claim Their Worth

» AOL Sheds Non-Union Staff

» Building Inquiry Faces First Test of Integrity

» Telstra Guilty Over Union Discrimination

» Paint Workers Finish the Job

» New Project Agreement A Template

» The Workers United, Need a New Slogan!

» Activists Notebook