Lets get some facts out in the open:-. .. .The so called 'Costly out dated working practises' The rosters David Teale refers to were presented to the workforce in January 1999 by the airport management, the workforce agreed to these new rosters. They are only 3 years old!!! Not 20 years old!! Which is the impression David Teale gives.. .Manchester Airport over the last few years has let private security companies come in a take certain tasks away from its existing workforce.. .These private firms like Securicor/ADI pay minimum wage have no regard for workers rights, provide minimal training and have a high turnover of staff.. .(eg many workers working 16hr shifts, one person I know very well worked 2 whole months of 16hr shifts with only 2 days off, Securicor's policy is if you are not relieved from your duties then you must continue to work or you are sacked!!). The high turnover of staff due to working long unsociable hours for burger bar wages leaves these private firms with a lack of experienced staff to undertake the serious work of airport security.. .So Manchester Airport Plc is responsible for these past breaches in airport security because they employ these companies, it is typical of the airport to blame the burger bar waged worker.. .In the U S year after year the Government Accounting Office (www.gao.gov) released reports regarding the state of security at American airports, the main points that were highlighted were :- . .Low wages. .Lack of training. .High turnover of staff (average 126%). .Low morale. .Etc. .The companies paying these low wages operate at Manchester and other UK airports.. .. .Argenbright in the U S, owned by Securicor/ADI have been fined by the FAA on countless occasions for breaching security regulations and they have just recently been informed by the Department of Transport in the U S that they will never win a U S Government contract again.. .Since 11 Sept the U S have woken up and realised that Airport security is about national security. They decided to Federalise it and advertised for well educated people who will have to undergo various tests and checks before being offered positions as Security officers.. .These new federalised jobs offer wages of $30,000-$35,000 pa (£21,500-£25,000 pa) unlike the private firms who were paying on average $15,000 pa (£11,000).. .. .If the Airport expects its workers to work for Burger bar wages then it has another thing coming, I for one will leave the company along with many others, leaving the airport to recruit low paid inexperienced workers to undertake the very import task of airport security.. .The Airport 2 years ago scrapped the selection test because too many applicants were failing it, many years ago when rates of pay for temporary staff were approx £15,000 pa the airport could pick and chose who they wanted now its down to £10,500 they are lucky if they can get anybody to work for them. I know I work there!!.. .If you want a safe airport then you will have to pay for it, you cannot buy experience.. .. .Manchester Airport talk about cutting costs to attract low cost airlines. Only last year MEN 6th July 2001 MD John Spooner states charges to airlines were slashed last year it cost the airport around £4m, but that was more than offset by increased numbers of passengers, who in turn generated extra income through use of the car parks and spending in airport shops, bars and restaurants. We want to grow as quickly as possible. There are enormous economies of scale that come from being larger, which would more than make up for the reduction in charges.. .. .Lets not forget this airport wants to cut wages by 40-50% to some that means £12,000 pa. .These people have families and mortgages to support.. .Unlike the directors who give themselves large rises ( eg David Teale £60,000 rise Geoff Muirhead £90,000 rise).That the workforce who don't sign new contracts on 25 April will be sacked (not made redundant).. .. .New contract. .£11,500-£12,622 pa. .42 hr week up from 38hr. .20 days leave per year down from 25. .Working 80% of weekends many shifts starting at 4am. .. .Manchester Airport will make large profits this year (£53m last year). Sep 11 had an impact initially but the airport has recovered significantly, overall passenger figures year on year were up 4% as of January 2002 , London Heathrow/Gatwick average 9% down. .. .So lets see some support for the workers who do a very important job ensuring passengers and crew have a safe flight.