Union organiser arrested at Canberra airport

For several months, security workers at Canberra Airport have been embroiled in industrial disputes with Capital Airport Group (CAG) and their new employer, MSS Security.

Two years ago, United Workers Union members won above-award conditions through threats of industrial action. But the switching of employer contracts has meant that CAG is no longer upholding their end of the bargain.

MSS Security, an international security conglomerate, has a notorious history of anti-union and anti-worker practices. After winning the airport contract, the company refused to guarantee the jobs of all current employees, requiring them to reapply for their positions.

Managers also said that some of the terms in the existing workplace agreement would not apply “in their ‘current form’ to any future agreement”.

As well, continuing staff have reported that MSS has consistently screwed up rosters and wage payments.

“Workers have been through three payrolls, with constant underpayments—one member has been underpaid by more than $2,000 on two separate occasions”, Fletcher, a UWU organiser, told Red Flag. “In short, it’s been far from a seamless transition.”

On 28 February, Fletcher attended a farewell lunch held by the outgoing contractor. During the event, three police officers, acting at the behest of a CAG employee, arrested him for trespassing and hauled him off to the Civic Watchhouse in handcuffs. As part of his bail conditions, Fletcher is prevented from returning to the airport.

This is a thinly veiled attempt by CAG to intimidate union members and organisers.

It highlights two issues: first is the immense influence of CAG, owned by Canberra’s only billionaire, nepo baby Steven Byron. Rich bastards like Byron believe they are beholden to no one.

When workers win improved conditions, CAG switches contractors. Rather than dealing with legitimate workplace issues, the company calls the police to do its dirty work.

Second is the undue power of the police. Rather than “maintaining community safety”, as they purport to do, they are acting as industrial enforcers for a billion-dollar private company.

Security workers are determined to give them a fight. On May Day, UWU members held a rowdy protest of more than 100 outside the airport's main entrance.

As UWU members build to their next action, Fletcher urges ongoing solidarity: “Contract change should not be an excuse to tear up hard-fought wages and conditions. It’s outrageous that Canberra Airport thinks it can use the police as private enforcers in industrial disputes”.