Airport Security, Devastating cuts = Devastating Consequences!
Vancouver, BC – At a time when security around the world is being improved, Canada is going in the opposite direction.
“Canadian airport screening security standards are being eroded to meet the recent federal government budget cuts,” said Tania Canniff, District Lodge 140 General Chairperson for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW).
“This will have a devastating impact on the security of the flying public in this country,” stated Canniff. “Canadians expect and deserve that our high level of security and service at our airports will continue. We have been a world leader in airport security, and we should keep it that way.”
On May 16, 2011, airport screeners, members of IAMAW employed at Vancouver International Airport, were informed by their employer that due to budgetary constraints, there would be an unavoidable reduction of available screening hours, with an overall reduction of 15%.
“After reducing hours through the re-alignment of shifts and other approved leaves, there will still be approximately 120 less screening officers at the Vancouver Airport,” explained Canniff. “We also represent screening officers throughout the province of British Columbia, but we do not have the exact number of layoffs at these locations at this time.”
“There will also be major layoffs of pre-board screening officers at other locations across the country, but those numbers are not known,” said Canniff. The IAMAW will be asking the federal government to stop the erosion of our security standards and immediately restore the funding, to ensure that Canadians can continue to keep flying safely.
The IAMAW represents more than 1250 airport screeners at 12 airports in British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
“Canadian airport screening security standards are being eroded to meet the recent federal government budget cuts,” said Tania Canniff, District Lodge 140 General Chairperson for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW).
“This will have a devastating impact on the security of the flying public in this country,” stated Canniff. “Canadians expect and deserve that our high level of security and service at our airports will continue. We have been a world leader in airport security, and we should keep it that way.”
On May 16, 2011, airport screeners, members of IAMAW employed at Vancouver International Airport, were informed by their employer that due to budgetary constraints, there would be an unavoidable reduction of available screening hours, with an overall reduction of 15%.
“After reducing hours through the re-alignment of shifts and other approved leaves, there will still be approximately 120 less screening officers at the Vancouver Airport,” explained Canniff. “We also represent screening officers throughout the province of British Columbia, but we do not have the exact number of layoffs at these locations at this time.”
“There will also be major layoffs of pre-board screening officers at other locations across the country, but those numbers are not known,” said Canniff. The IAMAW will be asking the federal government to stop the erosion of our security standards and immediately restore the funding, to ensure that Canadians can continue to keep flying safely.
The IAMAW represents more than 1250 airport screeners at 12 airports in British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
