Birmingham International Airport to axe 46 security gate jobs

May 9 2010 by Ben Goldby, Sunday Mercury

UP to 50 security jobs are being axed at Birmingham International Airport – despite fears the cost-cutting move could lead to an increased terrorism threat.

The Sunday Mercury has learned dozens of redundancies will be brought in this summer after passenger screening gates for Terminals 1 and 2 are combined.

New security measures, including controversial full body scanners, are set to be installed at the struggling airport – which lost £2 million in the recent Icelandic volcano ash fiasco.

But the job cuts mean passengers will not be screened by as many guards – raising new terrorism fears.

One security worker told the Sunday Mercury: “They want to get rid of 46 gate security staff working on the passenger screening checks as you walk through to the departure lounge.

“This is the most important area in the airport. It is the highest risk area and needs more guards, not less.

“It is run by Birmingham International Airways which has already handed letters out to staff saying the redundancies have to be made, as well as threatening cutbacks in the pension scheme.”

The security workers, represented by Unite union which led British Airways cabin crew strikes earlier this year, are now considering industrial action to protect their jobs.

A spokesman for Unite said there was no plans for a strike at this stage – but warned they would “take the temperature” of members following talks with airport bosses on Thursday.

“Someone has to stand up for security at the airport, and the lads are all prepared to strike over this,” the source said.