Manchester airport strike

[Justforkix]

Workers at one of the UK's biggest airports are to step up industrial action in a row over safety by walking out for 36 hours next week, it was announced today.

. .<a href="http://www.utvinternet.com/news_disp/indepth.asp?id=14403&r=3&pt=n" target="_blank">Business News</a>

[Binary]

I was at the security area on Monday when the security staff "downed tools" and walked out. As they walked away a door opened and a whole new set appeared led my some MAplc management chaps, and set to work. I have to say it was very efficient. Of course I can't say if they were any good but they seemed to be doing a thorough job for the limited time that I watched them.

[GroupWatcher]

Heard that ground staff in Paris would go on strike as well. Anybody knows for how long and at what airports?

[ShotOne]

Nobody wants to see a strike ever -but my only dealings with MAplc have concerned staff car parking. If these security staff are being treated with the same high handed arrogance that I was, then they have my total sympathy.

[one2one]

Shotone, You are not wrong there, the airport is run by corporate greed.. .All the directors see fit to give themselves 50% + pay rises (Some examples. Geoff Muirhead CEO £160,000 rising to £250,000, David Teale MD MAAS £120,000 rising to £180,000 John Donnison Security Business Manager £38,000 rising to £74,000).After these directors had sorted themselves out with 'Fat Cat' rises they turned to the workforce.. .The airport formed another Security Company to compete with its existing Security Section and guess what, the new company won a contract to operate British Airways T3, but it had no staff so they asked for volunteers, non forthcoming initially. But it had a trick up its sleave, it blackmailed 140 security officers who had taken Voluntary early retirement by saying that if you don't sign the new contract then you will not get your VER.. .30 tempoary staff who were told their contracts will be terminated unless they move to the new company.. .The remaing 60 staff who were on £14,300pa have gone over to take the £10,000 and leave the company before or after the 12 month tie-in. .The new contact as follows:-

42 hr week up from 38. .new rosters. .no sick leave from 1st feb- 31st march 2002. .no annual leave 1st feb - 31st march 2002. .5 day reduction in annual leave. .reduction in pay from approx. £22,000 - £12,622. .£5,000 bonus to break the strike. .£5,000 bonus paid over 12 months. .they must work days off on strike busting duties. .if they are sick it will cost them £85.00 per day.. .According to David Teale MD these are the people who have voted with their feet and sided with the company, B******S the VER's see this as the only escape route, the temps had no choice and the other sixty are doing it to make a profit and go.. .The 350 security officers who are on strike will not sign these new contracts. If they don't sign by 25th April 2002 then they will be sacked (not made redundant).. .These people have extensive knowledge of Aviation Security with many years of experience, but the airport who make over £1m profit per week have bucked the trend since 11 sept with passenger figures up 4% year on year have decided if wee don't except a 40-50% pay cut and the rest they will sack us and replace us with inexperienced low paid workers, who have no idea about aviation security.. .They have already started recruiting. 12 new recruits in training last week now only 2 left, rest have told the airport to stick it after seeing the rosters 4am starts 75% weekends split shifts all for £11,500 pa

So please support us

Thanks

[PAXboy]

In today's Independent on Sunday Page 8 reports that the MAN head of security, John Donnison (mentioned in an earlier post) is a former Chief Inspector of Leicestershire BUT with a criminal record for falsifying expenses claims. He served 200 hours community service for fiddling claims over a three year period.

From the article, regarding the change in contracts for security staff:. . [quote] Airport bosses want to slash the average wage of security staff from £23,000 to £12,600 and cut 200 of the 600 security staff. <hr></blockquote>

Nothing like making your local customers feel that you have their best interests at heart, so as to ensure lots of regular business. <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[Sir Algernon Scruggs]

[quote]Corrupt police chief handles airport safety

By Robert Mendick

17 February 2002

The head of security at Manchester airport, which has witnessed two serious security breaches in recent weeks, is a former police chief with a criminal conviction for dishonesty.

The revelation comes ahead of a 36-hour strike by security staff at the airport next weekend that could lead to lengthy delays for passengers. Airport bosses want to slash the average wage of security staff from £23,000 to £12,600 and cut up to 200 jobs, out of 600 security staff.

One of the leading figures in the management negotiations is John Donnison, a former chief inspector with Leicestershire police. Donnison pleaded guilty in January 2000 to 14 charges of false accounting, and ordered to perform 200 hours' community service for fiddling his police expenses over a three-year period.

His role in the negotiations has infuriated union leaders who accuse the airport of gross hypocrisy in employing him. Security staff have a clause in their contract that allows the airport to summarily sack them if they have a criminal conviction.

Donnison is in charge of up to 700 staff and a total budget of reportedly more than £20m. He is believed to be on a salary of £70,000, £30,000 more than he earned as a police officer.

Phil Craven, Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) convenor at the airport, said: "Because of his past he has not got the integrity or the ability to build up the trust needed in the security department."

Manchester airport confirmed Donnison is head of security with the job title of fire and security services business manager. A spokeswoman said: "We are not going to talk about it. It's in the past and nothing to do with ability to do the job. I am not going to go there. It's not relevant."

Leicestershire police confirmed Donnison was a chief inspector working in the northern region at the time of the police investigation into his affairs. According to reports, he admitted inventing 236 car journeys to claim £1,200 while serving as an officer. A police spokeswoman said the investigation was taken "very seriously".

The airport spokeswoman said she was confident next weekend's 36-hour stoppage would not cause any disruption to passengers.

She said the airport wanted to cut average wages to what it claimed is a market rate of £12,600, but was offering staff compensation packages of as much as £62,000 to do so.

The change in working conditions affects 590 security staff, who have been given notice their contracts will end on 25 April. They are being told to take new contracts on much less favourable terms.

Unions are baffled by the airport's persistence in pursuing the cuts in the wake of worldwide security fears since 11 September. That has been compounded by security breaches at Manchester airport in recent weeks. Last week, a bag containing bomb-making equipment, guns, imitation explosives, three detonators and dummy bullets were smuggled on to a plane bound for Gatwick after they were missed by a security guard employed by private contractor Securicor ADI.

The airport also employs private contractors but the unions point out this security breach was the result of trying to employ workers on the cheap. The weapons were planted by Global Air Training, to test security procedures. Journalists have also smuggled knives and other weapons onto a flight at Manchester.

Dave McCall, TGWU regional spokesman, said: "Manchester aiport tells us the two breaches of security at the airport last week were not related to the dispute. That has got to be the biggest load of nonsense any of us have ever heard. Both the breaches took place in areas where cut price security has already been introduced at this airport. If they continue we will get that sort of breach happening over and over again."<hr></blockquote>

Source: <a href="http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/transport/story.jsp?story=120466" target="_blank">The Independent</a>

[bagpuss lives]

I am not going to comment on the industrial action as it would be rather "unprofessional" of me as a representative of NATS Manchester.

I'd rather stick to ATC and say it;s sad when anyone has to go on strike for whatever reason <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

BUT.........I am aware of a colleague working on non-operational duties who was called a "scab" by the striking security staff on her way into work - as they "surrounded" the staff bus.

Huge pay rises are totally inexcusable.

But so is calling a lone female staff member a "scab" at 0645hrs on a dark, cold winter morning.

That is a *VERY VERY* easy way to lose support. We do fully understand, chaps and chapesses, but please?

And I must stress that my posting does not represent the views of NATS in any way, shape or form.

[Doctor Cruces]

MAPLC holds ALL airport staff in strict contempt, whether working for them or other companies.

The senior management in their tower block seem to see themselves as ruling over a medieval style heirarchy of feudal organisation where the rest of the staff are there purely to aggrandise Muirhead and his cohorts and make sure that they will get their next huge pay hike.

Not surprising that they have a strike on their hands. The security guys and gals will not win, but it would be nice if they did. I understand that there is total intransigence on both sides, so I expect this will get quite nasty before it's over.

Doc C.

[Positive Climb]

I have to agree with NiteFlight01:

I have no problem with people striking and having seen how Manchester Airport PLC have treated employees in the past (e.g. over car parking), I automatically tend to sympathise with the security staff without knowing the ins and outs of the dispute.

However, on Saturday morning as my bus drove from the car-park to the terminal, we were subjected to people banging on the windows and shouting 'scab' at us.

May I suggest that it is unacceptable for this type of behaviour to be directed at airline workers, in uniform, on their way to work who have absolutely nothing whatsover to do with the dispute.

My sympathy towards the security staff is consequently greatly diminished.

[one2one]

It is not just Security staff that are on strike . .CAR PARKS are and clerical staff from head office

they are shouting 'SCAB' at the BUS DRIVERS The buses are being driven by AIRPORT MANAGERS and SUPERVISORS who are breaking the strike.

They ARE NOT shouting 'SCAB' at the passengers who we know are supporting our cause, so please. .please keep supporting us and relay this information to your co-workers

Many Thanks

[Down Three Greens]

Well that's great gentlemen. Some of our cabin crew that were on that bus and believe me this type of mob behahavior not only scared them but is hardly likely to encourage the support of the rest of the staff at the airport.

I totally agree with your reasons for strike but bear in mind that it is very disconcerting for other people on the buses when the sides are hit and derogatory remarks are shouted.

[ 18 February 2002: Message edited by: Down Three Greens ]</p>

[Fool's Hole]

Positive Climb, whilst I agree with what you have said above, what's this cr*p all about:

"After V1, we'll take the emergency into the air - You call 'Positive Climb' and I'll ask for the gear up. We'll climb away at between V2 and V2 + 25"

Would you like to re-cite the rest of your QRH as well???

[Positive Climb]

Well contributed, Fool's Hole.

[bagpuss lives]

one2one - that is perhaps more understandable but surely some consideration must be given to passengers on-board the bus?

I can assure you - you have many supporters but this is a rapid way to lose them - trust me. Whether they are shouting at the no-doubnt wrong-doing drivers or not - they are scaring the bus pax and that simply won't do.

[Thin Controller]

Sorry, but I find it totally unacceptable that the strikers have to act like this.

Is it bacause their action so far has not effected the operational activities of the airport.

The 36hr stoppage effective 0400 Friday may but the airport at breaking point. Lets just hope that staff arriving to work will not be caught in the crossfire. After all, its bad enough getting up at 0300 in the cold.

<img src="tongue.gif" border="0"> to the whole thing anyway. <img src="eek.gif" border="0">

[brain fade]

Lets not miss the point here, troops.. .1. The security guys are getting shat on.. .2. The airport managers are awarding themselves large pay rises.. .3. people are getting hurt and upset which in turn leads them into 'inappropriate' behaviour which in turn is upsetting to any involved third party, ie innocents in unrelated activity on thier way in to work.. .4. i refer you to 1. above

[hinchy]

I believe they are striking from 04:00 am Friday until 16:00 Saturday.

Good luck everybody <img src="mad.gif" border="0">

[gordonburns]

On what grounds is the strike necessary at this airport?

[Binary]

I'm not sure that brain fades points justify intimidating other workers, or indeed passengers, even though his comments may be true. I have no personal experience but taxi drivers (two) have told me of similar incidents with pax in the back of the taxi. It seems a shame to lose support through that sort of behaviour.

By the way does anybody have any reliable information about the airport management case. One2one kindly supplied the strikers point of view but I feel a little in the dark with only one side of the arguement. Are the management pay rises really that excessive and do they not simply reflect market forces. £250K doesn't seem outrageous for that position although the timing may be. How do the quoted security pay rates compare with elsewhere. I don't really sit on either side of the fence, just interested to hear if anyone has the facts.

[brain fade]

Sphinx. you are correct, i'm not trying to justify anything. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[Doctor Cruces]

Sphinx,

Intimidating other workers to the point where they are afraid to come to work is what militant union members do during strike action. It's called bullying the majority into doing what the minority want. They may start out calling management bus drivers scabs but they soon get carried away and everyone is a scab.

It's why Thatcher got a lot of support for killing the unions during her dictatorship. I think she went too far, but this sort of action reminds me of the bad old days when unions ran the country.

On the other hand, because the bosses have awarded themselves a HUGE pay rise this year, the workers feel justifiably agrieved.

Having worked on most strike days, I have not seen very much disruption so perhaps the strikes are superfluous. Whatever happens, I don't believe the strikers are going to win.

Doc C.

[one2one]

Sorry guys and girls will pass the word around and try to get the Union to change its tactics.

The strikers are very upset as you can imagine when the airport is proposing a pay cut of 40-50% it will cost me £8,500 per year and I have a £500 mortgage per month to pay a wife and 2 children, I will have no choice but to sell my house and go into rented accommodation, unlike the directors who have given themselves massive pay rises. David Teale £120,000 rising to £180,000 Geoff Muirhead £160,000 rising to £250,000 John Donnison £38,000 rising to £74,000.. .The airport made £53m profit last year and rising as are the passenger figures 4% up year on year. Manchester airport has come out very well since 11 sept.

[russell_f_spring]

Sphinx. .Management's case is posted on the airport's website at <a href="http://www.manairport.co.uk," target="_blank">www.manairport.co.uk,</a> in among the press releases

[Binary]

Thanks russell_f

As an outsider it is very difficult to find the truth and work out who is right. I have no reason to doubt one2ones story; that's a very tough situation to be in and he has my sympathy, but how do you balance that against the management claim that the average security supervisor is on £21K. That seems a reasonable amount in comparison with other industries (some might claim it is very significantly better). I also suspect that in comparison to other industries that the management salary increases are not excessive, although as I said above the timing may not be great. There are clearly many individuals who are placed in great difficulty by these changes, but does this justify a strike and the disruption of a successful airport. I wonder how unemployed pilots with zero income feel. I support action when it is clearly justified, I'm just not sure I can see that the case is crystal clear here.

[Ixus]

My Wife is Cabin Crew and I am flightdeck crew. Although the shouts of "Scab" and banging on the side of the bus do not effect me a sh**.

When my wife comes home and states she doesnt like being in the situation she was put into by people hurling abuse at the bus that takes her too and from work - I draw the line.

If the MAPLC employees are trying to lose support from the other "Elements" of manchester airport they are going the right way about it.

Although I see their reasoning for strike action when they start causing uneccessary worry to my family you lose my support. My suggestion is try other tactics guys before you lose support from the people who initially supported you!!!!!!

Go picket the offices of those concerned not the bloody bus full of non "associated" employees!!!

[ 22 February 2002: Message edited by: Ixus ]

[ 22 February 2002: Message edited by: Ixus ]

[ 22 February 2002: Message edited by: Ixus ]</p>

[crab]

Unfortunately shouts of scab and intimidation of non associated workers just serves to reinforce my fears of the intelligence level of people employed in airport security.. .Until a proper salary is paid and relevant training given then the standard of people recruited will remain the same.