Thousands of bags stranded as Paris airport security staff protest
PARIS, July 16 (AFP) - Passengers faced delays and left without their suitcases from Paris' Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports Tuesday as security staff pursued a go-slow action aimed at winning better pay and more jobs.
At Charles de Gaulle, where workers monitoring checked baggage are on strike, some 9,500 bags were left behind by mid-day, with nearly every plane missing some luggage, airport officials said.
Some flights from Charles de Gaulle were running 20 minutes behind schedule, while at Orly, where security agents scanning carry-on luggage are observing a work-to-rule, travellers faced delays of up to 30 minutes.
The security agents started a relatively limited work-to-rule action at Orly airport on June 27, which extended to Charles de Gaulle on July 3.
Trade union officials said only 25 percent of flights from the airport were totally secure.
"The airlines, regardless of the Vigipirate (reinforced security) program, have decided to allow planes to take off without any security check on the bags on board," the CGT union charged.
Security staff at Charles de Gaulle have since Monday distributed flyers to passengers which read: "You are about to board a flight for which security regulations have not been followed. This could put your life in danger!"