Ex NAV
So you want to see security wages cut at MAN.
To what level?
Management are very eager to get the security wage bill down.
They have already gone down the "America Road" of allowing competitive tendering at the airport to force wages down!
As American and the rest of the World have found out competitive tendering for Airport Security is now a No No.
A number of reports in the U.S. By the Government Accounts Office (GAO) all came to the same conclusion:-
Security workers were the lowest paid works in the airport (less then Burger King)
Training was inadequate
Airlines and Airports always went for the lowest tender
The average turnover of staff p.a. In the U.S. Was 126% at St Loius it was 416%
There was a lack of motivation and a definite lack of experience.
Wages were between $7 and $10 p/hr
Untrained staff operating Hi-Tech equipment
Manchester Airport has companies like Securicor/ADI (HBS Screening) ,ICTS, Initial and Menzies all operating alongside MAPlc Security. These companies were given contracts because they submitted the lowest tender.
The above companies employ workers on minimum wage, (£4-£4.75 p/hr) with no enhancements (ie shift pay, weekend enhancement, or pension). They have a large staff turnover and find it difficult to recruit and retain staff.
For companies to be the lowest tender they must cut their costs further to compete, which ultimately leads to lower wages, cutting the training budget and maybe cutting corners.
This is here at MAN now and it can only get worse. Lets pray the airport sees the light!
Just check these observations out below:-
"The failure of the low-bid system to provide for public security is not a surprise to anyone with even a passing familiarity with economics and incentives. This would seem not to include most free-market zealots, who maintain that privatisation is the answer to our problems. In order to secure contracts, security companies must underbid competitors. Seeking to push up stock value and maintain shareholder confidence, airlines and their security contractors cut costs, and, as with all corporations, those cuts aren't going to come from the salaries of executives. Rather than eliminate costs through low worker pay and poor training, though, the result is that those costs have been dumped onto society. On September 11, our society paid dearly".
"Isn't it awfully obvious now that airline and airport security is also national security?" said Mary Schiavo, former inspector general for the U.S. Department of Transportation who oversaw two audits critical of FAA airport security standards. "And we're entrusting that security to someone who makes $6 an hour watching the X-ray machine because of a system that rewards the lowest bidder."
PROFIT BEFORE SAFETY!!
IS IT WORTH THE GAMBLE?
WOULD YOU WORK FOR THAT??
WOULD YOU WANT PEOPLE WORKING FOR THAT PROTECTING YOUR AIRLINE/AIRCRAFT and PASSENGERS??
[ 13 October 2001: Message edited by: airbuddie ]