Airport rage on increase
Tues "The Australian" Late News 18/6/02
Airport rage on increase: unions
June 18, 2002
A DARWIN airport screener was punched and assaulted in the latest example of airport rage which is spreading across the country, unions have revealed.
They warned an increasing number of airport security guards were becoming the victims of abuse from passengers who were unaware of proper security requirements and faced unexpected queues and delays when checking in for flights.
Liquor, Hospitality, Miscellaneous Workers' Union (LHMU) airport security official Jo-anne Schofield said incidents of violence against airport guards had increased noticeably since security standards were tightened after the September 11 terrorist attacks last year.
While security commitments had increased, there had been a lack of publicity about the new requirements, causing friction between passengers and staff trying to do their job, Ms Schofield said.
"Our members from Darwin to Launceston are copping abuse because governments, airports, airlines and security companies are not taking seriously their responsibility to educate the travelling public about the need for higher security standards," she said.
In the latest attack, a female airport screener at Darwin airport was punched and assaulted by an angry taxi-driver last week because he did not want to conform to new airport security standards.
The taxi driver swore at the security guard as she worked at the Darwin Airport passenger screening point.
Police are investigating the incident but unions say without proper promotion of airport security requirements the number of incidents was expected to increase.
"Members of the general public are taking their frustration over higher security standards out on our members," Ms Schofield said.
"In the last month we have logged several incidents of foul-mouthed abuse of airport security workers in Launceston and other cities where people are just not patient at screening points.
"We are not convinced that security companies, airports and airlines are treating this issue seriously."
Unions are calling for more protection for workers from violent incidents and for proper counselling and support when incidents take place.
"The union has been campaigning for some time for better signage at all airports informing the public of the new higher standards of security screening and the need to be co-operative with airport screening and security personnel," Ms Schofield said.