EDMONTON – Safety at the Edmonton International Airport is being seriously compromised by the inexperienced and poorly-trained contractors who have been hired to replace striking support workers.

At a news conference in August, union spokespeople presented evidence showing that debris is not being cleared from the runways in a timely fashion. They also distributed pictures – taken by concerned members of a Canadian Airlines flight crew – showing dangerous cracks in the flight apron, the area where planes manoeuvre to and from runways.

"These are the kinds of things that could do real damage to a plane and put passengers at risk," said Paulette Jensen, president of the local representing striking airport support workers.

"They are also exactly the kind of problems our members are trained to take care of. Unfortunately, as long as the Airport Authority continues to refuse to get back to the bargaining table, safety is going to remain a big problem."

The union’s concerns over safety were echoed by air traffic controllers.

"All of us working in the control tower are extremely concerned about the lack of training and experience among these people (the replacement workers)," said Greg Miles, regional director of the Canadian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association.

More than 120 members of the Union of Canadian Transportation Workers, a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) have been on strike at the Edmonton International Airport since July 31st, 2000.

The workers, who provide administrative and support service to the airport, have been without a contract December 31, 1999.

According to strike coordinator Brenda Mehmel, the biggest issue is the complete refusal of the Airport Authority to deal with job security issues.

"There’s nothing at the table that is insurmountable," said Mehmel. "All we’re asking for is the same kind of job security language that is already in place at four other major airports around the country."

Mehmel suspects that the bargaining crisis originates with the Canadian Airport Council. "There seems to be a concerted attack on job security by airport authorities," said Mehmel. "As workers, our only option is to take a firm stand for our right to a secure job with decent pay."

AFL President Audrey Cormack is urging unions to support the striking workers. "The airport authorities in Edmonton and across the country must stop trying to turn their workers into disposable commodities," said Cormack. "I’m getting really sick and tired of employers whose idea of good management is to impoverish workers."