Workplace Report February 2005

Health & safety news

Airport safety is at stake, say striking firefighters

Firefighters at Glasgow Airport have been on strike since January 29 in a dispute over safety.

The firefighters, members of the T&G general union, are opposing the airport's plan to set up a small fire safety and prevention team in place of its existing arrangements.

The union argues that this would increase response times, and wants an independent risk assessment to be carried out.

"This is fundamentally about the safety of airport users - both staff and the public," said Donald Munro, T&G regional industrial organiser. "This is no way to run a modern international airport which requires a first-class, swift-response firefighting team. We have been forced into strike action by a management which is not prioritising safety."

For more information, visit www.savefire7.co.uk