Melb Airport Screeners win 8pc rise

Date: 11 June 2002

Airport Security workers around Australia will welcome the AIRC decision, handed down this afternoon, to improve the pay of Melbourne airport screeners.

The pay decision represents, in total, an 8% increase for a group of workers who until now were among the lowest-paid workers at the airport.

Most airport screeners currently get paid around $12 an hour.

" We will expect all security employers, at all airports, to quickly fall into line and improve the pay packets of our members," Jeff Lawrence, LHMU Airport Security Union National Secretary, said.

" Despite the employer, Chubb, fighting their workforce all the way this decision recognises the important role airport screeners play in the new security environment.

" Our members at Melbourne airport have been campaigning for this pay increase for nearly two years - and were forced to take strike action last year because of the belligerence of their employer.

" Their campaign started well before September 11. That international tragedy just underlined the important, but unrecognised role, that this group of workers play at our airports."

The pay increase of 97 cents (which includes an earlier 50 cents interim increase) recognises the increased skill and work value of airport security officers.

Delegates meet Thursday

Members of the LHMU Airport Security Union are currently handing out postcards at airports around Australia to underline their campaign for improved training, improved equipment and improved pay.

" This campaign has got extra impetus from the decision effecting our Victorian membership - all our membership will now want to see this increase flow around the country," Jeff Lawrence said.

The LHMU Airport Security Union has scheduled a national video hook up of all airport security union delegates for Thursday morning to discuss the Australian Industrial Relations Commission decision.

" At this key meeting union members will discuss the result of the work value case, employer reaction at other airports to the decision, and how we should now proceed nationally," Jeff Lawrence, LHMU Airport Security Union National Secretary, said.

" The union campaign for upgraded national airport screening and security standards will be maintained, so as to ensure passengers at all airports can expect to travel safely in Australian skies."

The LHMU proudly represents more than 150,000 hard working women and men throughout Australia.

For interviews:

Jeff Lawrence, LHMU Airport Security Union National Secretary, 02 8204 7200 or 0425 242 724

Jo-anne Schofield, LHMU Airport Security Union Assistant National Secretary, 02 8204 7231 or 042 524 2684

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