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Regional Airport Security Ignored By Anderson

By Andrew Casey

Australia's airport security umbrella has major tears and holes in it because security screening is not compulsory for regional and rural airports, where flights involve less than 100 passengers.

" Passengers flying out of regional airports have expressed concern to our union that there is no security or airport screening as they boarded their flights," LHMU Security Union National Secretary, Jeff Lawrence, said.

Concerns have come in from Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Ballina.

" We have a ridiculous state of affairs with our members not able to deliver total security because not all regional and rural airports provide for secure flights for their passengers," LHMU Security Union National Secretary Jeff Lawrence said.

"Our members are told to screen only flights with over 100 passengers - why is it not necessary to secure flights with less than 100 passengers?

X-ray machines lie unused

" At some regional airports you can spot x-ray machines but they often lie unused because of these ridiculous rules.

" John Anderson, as Transport Minister, and the leader of the National Party, must be held to account for not protecting the people who he expects to vote for him and his party in rural and regional Australia.

" John Anderson must also be held to account for not creating the highest possible safety standards to protect the needs of our tourism and hospitality industry in rural and regional Australia - and the thousands of regional jobs these industries deliver.

" The LHMU Security Union is campaigning for equal security standards and equal treatment at all our airports. Our union believes we need trained and qualified people to protect passengers on all flights in these dangerous times," Jeff Lawrence said.

A detailed survey of all airports around Australia is now being completed by Security Union members' and activists so that the union can better campaign for the delivery of improved security standards for all travellers on Australian airplanes.

" The LHMU believes the government should get back to basics - not headline chase with talk of sky marshals. John Anderson should tell CASA to ensure there are no holes in our airport security umbrella."

Airport Security Union plan

The LHMU Security Union recently called an urgent national meeting of security delegates and members to discuss airport security needs following the tragedy of September 11.

Delegates discussed how to upgrade security at Australian airports.

The LHMU Security Union plan devised to resolve these issues, include:

� Strict guidelines and regulations must be developed by the Australian Government and enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety authority( CASA) at all Australian Airports;

� Security contractors must comply with the minimum standards;

� Minimum formally accredited training standards must be developed by the government, with curriculum to be approved by the government, and audits regularly conducted to ensure training is being implemented;

� Wages and conditions for airport security officers should be reviewed immediately to ensure that they reflect the important role of security officers and improve the status of this important function;

� Ageing screening equipment at most major airport should be urgently updated. This equipment is crucial to the proper detection of threatening substances before they are taken on to the aircraft;

� There should be a review of factors, which create low morale amongst the workforce, including increasing casualisation, poor rostering arrangements and inadequate staffing levels, with a view to eliminating these practices.

The LHMU Security Union will shortly put a claim on security companies which will improve the conditions of our members and help us to implement the union plan to resolve the airport security crisis.

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  Issue 116 contents

»	Unions Triumph in Bra Battle
»	Ansett's Redundancy Edict: Hand in Uniforms
»	Economic Management Libs Style: Porkbarrelling And Profligacy
»	Long Hours Ranks Swell
»	Extra Security Urged at Chemical Sites
»	Regional Airport Security Ignored By Anderson
»	"Sack or Back" Shier
»	Backpay For Exploited Guest Workers
»	Nurses to Test New Equal Pay Laws
»	Libs Back Unions as Compo Police
»	Racism Rocks Workplaces
»	Community of Sydney to Back CFMEU
»	Green Activist Restrictions Lifted
»	Hotel Union Cautious About Employer Gloom
»	International Workers to Converge on Sydney
»	Workers' Bank Opens Shopfront
»	Face The Music And Shove It Up The Junta!
»	Activists Notebook

»	The Soapbox
»	The Locker Room
»	Trades Hall
»	Tool Shed

»	Joy is at it Again!
»	The Extra Yards
»	Water Aid
»	Redunancy Under Attack
»	Orwell No Anarchist
»	Ways Around Treaty Rights

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