Security Strike at Manchester [Archive]

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gromitx13

16th Mar 2002, 18:19

I'm sure some of you have experienced events at Manchester when security are on Strike.. .. .But do you know the reasons - its not just about money.. .. .Please look at the strike website to find out what the management are intending to do with youre safety.. .. .<a href="http://WWW.airportstrike.esmartweb.com" target="_blank">WWW.airportstrike.esmartweb.com</a>

HotDog

17th Mar 2002, 06:52

Prior to my retirement, I spent several frustrating years negotiating the Manchester Security gate near stand 64. The entrance door to the X-ray machine is outward opening, meaning one has to put down suitcase or nav bag to free one hand to pull open door, exit door the same! As I was often away from home base for periods of 15 to 21 days, I had a rather large Samsonite suitcase in tow. Needless to say, it wouldn't fit through the X-ray machine, so had to be hand searched each time. By the way, Manchester was the only port where my suitcase proved to be too big. That is one of the few experiences I actually don't miss about flying. As for the "highly skilled" security staff comparing their measly renumeration with that of airport managment's is a bit of a laugh to say the least.

160to4DME

17th Mar 2002, 17:41

Full staffing, even in the early hours and the depth of night when not a passenger is to be spotted ????. .. .No wonder MA PLC want to stop this gravy train.. .. .Until strikers stop intimidating other staff on the car park busses, they'll get nothing but contempt from me <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad.gif" />

Jumbo Liar

17th Mar 2002, 21:36

I heartily agree that security at EGCC is grossly overstaffed and incompetent.. .. .I've just returned from a holiday near Malaga, and on the outbound leg the two women near the X-ray machine were much more interested in their own personal gossip. I had to ASK to get my keys and mobile phone back from the machine.. .. .It's doubtful if they would have spotted much in hand baggage on that day, judging from their level of concentration.. .. .I did contemplate writing to MA plc about this, but the letter would just go in the nearest bin in the thickly carpeted admin offices !

Hew Jampton

17th Mar 2002, 22:20

Gromit. .I don't think you are going to get much, or any, sympathy for your cause on this forum, nor do you deserve to. Most (but not entirely all) security staff at airports are total jobsworths who have failed or would fail the traffic wardens' exam. At MAN a couple of years ago, a jobsworth on the X-Ray machine took delight in shouting out to my pilot colleague and anybody else in a 100 yard radius that he could see a hipflask in my bag, and was I therefore a secret boozer while on duty. He neglected to say that the flask was in my nightstop suitcase and not my nav bag.. .. .You seek to compare security staff pay with that of the airport director; perhaps he's actually worth ten or more of your lot. I certainly wouldn't use an airport run by airport security.

E cam

18th Mar 2002, 00:41

To attack the pay and conditions of your employees whilst giving yourself a massive pay rise is just sick IMHO! I reckon that security at MAN are no more bolshie than those at any other airport. They surely deserve better than this.

knows

18th Mar 2002, 13:06

Gromit - I'm afraid airline costs at Manchester are amongst the highest in the world.. .Pilots want to see airlines suceed; - and hence you won't find support here on this site for the security workers!. .. .My understanding of the facts includes ;cost for security (MAN), £25.47 per security officer per hour, compares poorly with quoted, and charged, competitive rates. The rates of Securicor/ADI at Manchester are £7.94 per hour with charges across five other competitors reaching a maximum of £10.29 per hour. Higher rates of pay, inefficent rosters, more generous leave arrangements and higher sickness rates contribute to this disparity.

madge

18th Mar 2002, 19:22

I have to agree with ECAM. If you disregard the actual job they do and imagine it is your boss saying you have to take a pay cut and changes to your terms and conditions, how would you feel?. .I don't think you would be too happy either.

gromitx13

20th Mar 2002, 22:26

You may not agree with some staffing levels - we do not have a hand in that-Maplc are not changing staffing levels. The main crux of the matter is that a new security firm ie ADI is going to come in eventually to take over at MAN. This is company with a bad record - and after Heathrow's debarcles they are getting worse. This is a company which is related to the security company barred from operating after 9/11. Do you really want you're safety in thier hands. Landing fees will not change - this company made 53 million last year and did'nt reduce landing fees - taking money off us is not going to make a difference.

one2one

21st Mar 2002, 13:18

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.

Ringwayman

21st Mar 2002, 13:53

Just clarifying. .. . <blockquote>quote:<hr />overall passenger figures year on year were up 4% as of January 2002<hr /></blockquote>January 2002: down 6.12%. .Rolling 12 months to January 2002 : up 2.98%. .. .February 2002: down 2.98% . .Rolling 12 months to February 2002 : up 2.54%. .. .as we want to <blockquote>quote:<hr />get some facts out in the open<hr /></blockquote>

one2one

22nd Mar 2002, 04:01

Ringwayman. .. .Sorry only 1.02% out, but you agree with the rest?