Compulsary ID cards for all UK airside staff?

[6chimes]

Just wondering what all those of us who work airside or actually in the air think of the government proposal to enforce us all to have these new ID cards.

Of course security is our main concern these days, and it isn't helped by government spin and crass initiatives by ministers. After all how many terrorist attacks in the UK have been undertaken by British flight crew or cabin crew?

Any chance of a MOD setting up a ballot? It would be interesting to know our position.

6

[Getoutofmygalley]

I think it's a bit of a pisser really. We already have our BAA or airline issued security passes and have gone through Disclosure Scotland in order for those passes to be issued.

We carry our passports with us on each duty (aircrew that is) so I don't understand why I should now have to pay good money for another piece of ID to be issued to me.

Unless of course the government are going to pay for the issue of these cards (as if!).

So how will the ID card increase security at airports when we have 2 other pieces of ID on us at all times?

[Yarpy]

Unite questions biometric identity cards for airport staff

http://www.tgwu.org.uk/Templates/News.asp?NodeID=94173

The UK's main aviation trade union has questioned the government's general introduction of biometric identity cards starting at airports. Steve Turner, national secretary for civil air transport with Unite the union, said today's announcement by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith was 'a develolopment of questionable value'.

and:

"We are also mindful that many of Unite's two million members, their families and friends, regularly use airports for both leisure and business as members of the travelling public. A sensible, balanced and informed approach to matters of airport security must be agreed.

also:

"We are seeking assurances that our members will not be open to discrimination as a result of this development. We have particular concerns over its introduction at airports where a highly diverse workforce undergoes lengthy and vigorous pre-employment checks applied to workers across the sector.

"Unite has serious concerns over the general introduction of identity cards, as well as the gathering and use of biometric information, its storage and potential wider use by both employers and the state.

"We see little additional benefit stemming from the introduction of identity cards for aviation workers, and will need convincing by government.

"We call on the government to enter into urgent discussions with the trade unions. We will at all times be vigilant in the defence of our members interests, while mindful of the balance to be sought between human rights and the protection of personal information on the one hand and the need to ensure safe and secure travel on the other."

ENDS

For further information please contact the Unite press office on 020 7611 2550

[GriffinPT]

I cant see the big deal, the government will get this one through whether we like it or not. My Spanish boyfriend has had an ID card all his life as have many other European residents. Its no big deal.

[A2QFI]

ID Card

GPT - I think the difference is that your friend's Spanish ID card is a simple variation on our passport - it is probably not even machine readable. What is proposed in UK could finish up as identifying you (reasonable), carrying biometric data (iris scan and DNA profile), criminal record if any, contact details, place of work, log of journeys made abroad (where and when). All this AND we have got to pay to have it but carrying it won't be compulsory! What sort of badly thought out, intrusive b**ger's muddle is that? You will be able to buy a fake one on e bay within a year, trust me!

[preduk]

It's funny...

The British Government say that these terrorists are out to fight against democracy and our current freedoms... they then suggest we get:

- ID Cards
- Increase the detention limit
- Create more and more security cameras all over the UK
- Listen to prisoners talks with their lawyers
- Put so called "terrorists" in jail for looking at documents and videos (and not doing any actions)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but those restrictions are the exact ones we didn't want to bring in on the first place. What's next... Electronic Tagging!

I give up... Canada anyone??

[flumps]

Griffin, the ID cards didn't stop the worst terrorist atrocity committed on European soil, ie the Madrid train bombings. For those of you who think you won't pay for it you will, unless of course, say, Switzerland decide to fund it for us! The gov't predict it will cost 8 to 10 billion pounds (so you can double that estimate). Imagine how that money could be better spent. Oh, I don't know, a tax cut perhaps?

I still haven't heard an explanation for why airside workers will be the first to be issued them (compulsorily) when we already have a BAA issued ID and must undergo a regular CRC. Smacks of guineapig-ism on a soft target who can't refuse to submit as they would lose their jobs.

[brummbrumm]

If you object then sign the petition:

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/airsideid/

[SkyCamMK]

Note: petition signing not accepted if email address ends in .co.uk

Mrs SkyCamMK and I have now been added to the very short list.

Tnx

[Pilot Pete]

I still haven't heard an explanation for why airside workers will be the first to be issued them (compulsorily)

You'll find out why in here http://wikileaks.cx/leak/nis-options...is-outcome.pdf We are the political guinea pigs and fall under the banner of a 'trusted relationship' group. What they are trying to do is force us to get cards as we won't be able to say no, but we are already reasonably vetted, so they can chuck us in at the deep end with their unproven technology and try to gain some 'kudos'. They know the public don't want ID cards, so they are going to have to force them in under the guise of 'security' and 'safety' and force school leavers to get them as employers will require them (because the government will force them to require them!!!) Shocking. I am pretty tolerant, but this issue has really got my goat. Check out the thread in the pilots' forum, I have put some links in there about how unworkable this is and how the government are going ahead because they just want this data on us all. Big Brother who?

PP

[radar707]

petition here for those that haven't signed it and wish to do so:

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/airsideid/

[captainbrit1]

civil liberties aren't a big deal?

[girtbar]

I'm surprised the clever people that make up these things haven't told all airside pass holders to strip down to their socks if they want to continue working, just in case we're smuggling some salad dressing, WOMD or an immigrant.

[zebraluver]

Maybe the answer to some of your questions is at the end of this video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuBo4E77ZXo

[Yarpy]

A really excellent No2ID pop video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9HsnIGuHQQ

It had me in stitches.

[radar707]

This is how ID cards could end up being used:

http://aclu.org/pizza/images/screen.swf

Don't like the idea? then sign the petition:

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/airsideid/

[tcxkestrel]

not really my first post as have had problems logging on whilst away from home...

Cynically (and I'm not sure this is the reason), but there are now a huge amount of airside workers who do not have a CRC checkable history - could that be why??

[radar707]

Sign the petition

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/airsideid/

Lets make our voices heard