Airport screeners have taken action to protest what they see as poor working conditions, low wages and the government’s “disrespect” for them.
United Steelworkers national director Marty Warren said screening officers would wear their personal clothes, rather than their uniform, at 42 airports starting Monday, to draw attention to their salaries and working conditions. work, while negotiations continue for new collective agreements.
Ottawa is trying to respond to long lines, flight delays and disruptions at airports – particularly at Toronto’s Pearson – in part due to a shortage of security and at customs.
Despite hiring more than 850 screeners since April, Warren noted the federal government is still not providing the funding that would guarantee screening officers the wages, working conditions and respect they deserve. According to him, staff turnover is a major problem.
He pointed out that the unionized staff’s response, which he called casual mondaywould not disrupt services.
Screening officers are employed by one of three private security companies overseen and funded by the federal government through its crown corporation, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.
Source: Radio-Canada
