Airport Security Budget Cuts Create Cloud of Uncertainty as Contract Talks Begin
For Immediate Release
Toronto, ON – The International Associations of Machinists – IAM, representing 3,000 Airport Security Screeners at Toronto Pearson, Toronto Billy Bishop, Vancouver International and 10 regional airports in British Columbia, begin bargaining for a new collective agreement. Talks began today between the IAM and Garda for Toronto while bargaining with G4S for the Pacific Region will take place later this month.
Although the Pacific Region which is operated by G4S and the Toronto airports which are operated by Garda are two different companies, many of the problems are the same. “The Harper government has short changed the travelling public by more than $103 million last year, “ said IAM Canadian General Vice President Dave Ritchie. “This continues a trend that has put in excess of $200 million into government coffers since 2010. The monies collected on every airline ticket for security should be used for security and not to fund other government pet projects.”
“Anyone who travels by air in this country has experienced long lineups at Airport Security,” said Ritchie. “This leads to frustration of the passengers who then take their anger out on the screeners who are there to protect them. The flying public is not receiving the service and protection that they have paid for,” he explained. “The Harper government should be doing more, not less at a time when terrorism is at a peak.”
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For further information:
Dave Ritchie – IAM Canadian General Vice President
416-386-1789 Ext # 6323
Bill Trbovich – IAM Director of Communications
416-386-1789 Ext #6331/416-735-9765