Survey reveals widespread abuse, aggression and assaults impacting workers across Scottish airports 

Unite the union today (27 March) launched a new safety campaign “Abuse Doesn’t Fly’ following the results of a survey which revealed Scottish airports workers regularly face abuse, aggression and assault.

The campaign is asking the travelling public to be fully aware of their behaviour towards airport workers alongside demanding airport employers and police authorities immediately enact a number of safety measures to protect workers.

The survey of over 300 workers at the nation’s major airports - Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow – revealed that there are unacceptable levels of abuse from travellers. 

Unite survey highlights:

  • Over 90 per cent of workers stated they experienced verbal abuse on a regular basis in the last year.

  • Over 75 per cent experienced intimidation or aggression.

  • 29 per cent experienced some form of physical assault.

The levels of abuse have resulted in a third (34 per cent) of airport workers having considered leaving the industry with 77 per cent stating that regular levels of abuse has impacted on their mental health, and increased stress and anxiety when attending their workplace. The workers who participated in the survey include ground handlers, passengers service assistants, security, and customer service agents.  

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The results of Unite’s safety survey across Scotland’s major airports is shocking. Airport workers regularly and repeatedly face staggering and unacceptable levels of abuse, aggression and assaults. Unite will not stand by and allow our members to be treated in this way which is why we are demanding safety measures to be immediately adopted in airports.” 

Unite’s ‘Abuse Doesn’t Fly’ campaign aims to tackle widespread workplace abuse through a number of demands including:

·       Increased police presence during peak times such as Easter and Summer.

·       Mandatory zero tolerance signage.

·       Panic alarms or alternatives to ensure worker safety in key airport areas.

·       Traffic light system to ban passengers who are repeat or serious offenders.

·       Better recording procedures for abuse incidents at airports.

·       Counselling services to workers struggling due to abuse, aggression or assault.

·       Airport safety charters across UK airports. 

Carrie Donoghue, Unite industrial officer said: “It is clear from Unite’s survey that employers and policing authorities need to be doing far more to support airport workers by enacting safety measures such as an increased police presence at peak times including Easter.”

“We are also asking the travelling public to think about and change their behaviour because this wave of abuse can’t go on. It is having a seriously detrimental impact on airport workers leading to psychological and physical trauma with many workers having to take time off due to illness or considering leaving the industry.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor

For media enquiries please contact Andrew Brady on 07810157922.

Email andrew.brady@unitetheunion.org

Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members.