Time for a Poll on Industrial Action
Given the rising concern expressed among Flight Crew and Aviation Professionals regarding the excessive and unneccessary Security Clampdown at British Airports, I would like to propose that the PPRuNe administrators open a POLL on taking Industrial Action over this issue.
If, as I suspect, there appears to be a majority in favour of doing so, this should provide some collective incentive to contact our union reps forthwith.
On the other hand, if we find little support for industrial action, it should help us all take a proportionate view of the situation.
The justification for industrial action should be obvious:
The provisions of the Security Clampdown in the UK which have been imposed on Airlines and their Crews are of such draconian severity, that they not only obstruct members in exercising their responsibilities in the course of their contractual obligations, but are begining to compromise operational safety.
Furthermore, the effect of these security measures on the traveling public is to severely restrict the freedoms and economics of travel to such an extent that they are jeopardising the economic security of the airlines and members' jobs in the longer term.
Industrial action is called for until such time as proportionate security measures are introduced for the traveling public, to enable the reinstatement of Carry-On luggage including Laptops, Phones, Reading matter, Personal hygene, adequate refreshment and other essential portable items or equipment which may be reasonably used in the course of business or leisure during the flight. Crews should be subject to dedicated security screening appropriate to their professional needs.
(Re-word as necessary)