Unite the union has issued an angry response to the announcement from Glasgow Airport that they plan to outsource their security and fire brigade services.
Glasgow Airport launched a consultation yesterday on the transfer of nearly 300 workers to ICTS (UK) who operate airport security functions and Falck who perform fire safety functions under amended TUPE regulations.
“The outsourcing is a betrayal of the decades of skills, knowledge and loyalty of Unite members at Glasgow Airport,” said Pat McIlvogue, Unite regional industrial officer.
“It’s a move designed to drive down costs which will potentially put public safety directly at risk.”
The move comes after a dispute between Glasgow Airport and Unite members in June where it was reported that that replacement staff brought in by ICTS to operate baggage X-ray scanners may have missed more than 260 potential threats in two days at Glasgow and Aberdeen Airports.
“It’s astonishing after the widespread media reports regarding the security breaches at Glasgow Airport during the summer dispute that the airport’s management now see fit to completely outsource its security and fire brigade operations,” said McIlvogue, adding: “we will be meeting our members immediately to discuss our response, which will be robust.”
