Unite questions biometric identity cards for airport staff
The UK’s main aviation trade union has questioned the government’s general introduction of biometric identity cards starting at airports. Steve Turner, national secretary for civil air transport with Unite: the union, said today’s announcement by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith was ‘a develolopment of questionable value’.
“The security of access to airside areas of airports is of the utmost importance to us as a union. Unite represents thousands of employees providing professional customer and airline services, including security, in an extremely sensitive and stressful environment,” said Steve Turner.
“We are also mindful that many of Unite’s two million members, their families and friends, regularly use airports for both leisure and business as members of the travelling public. A sensible, balanced and informed approach to matters of airport security must be agreed.
“We are seeking assurances that our members will not be open to discrimination as a result of this development. We have particular concerns over its introduction at airports where a highly diverse workforce undergoes lengthy and vigorous pre-employment checks applied to workers across the sector.
“Unite has serious concerns over the general introduction of identity cards, as well as the gathering and use of biometric information, its storage and potential wider use by both employers and the state.
“We see little additional benefit stemming from the introduction of identity cards for aviation workers, and will need convincing by government.
“We call on the government to enter into urgent discussions with the trade unions. We will at all times be vigilant in the defence of our members interests, while mindful of the balance to be sought between human rights and the protection of personal information on the one hand and the need to ensure safe and secure travel on the other.”
ENDS
For further information please contact the Unite press office on 020 7611 2550
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