An investigation has resulted in the firing of 27 security screeners and nine salaried employees in the screening department at Victoria International Airport (YYJ).
The workers were fired on Feb. 6 and 7.
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) said in an emailed statement that it initiated an investigation at the airport based on a complaint.
“Preliminary findings led to a more extensive investigation into screening operations at Victoria International Airport in December and January,” the statement read. “The investigation identified multiple instances of incomplete screening at a non-passenger checkpoint by screening personnel employed by Allied Universal, CATSA’s screening contractor.”
CATSA’s screening officers conduct screening of non-passengers accessing restricted areas at major airports. Non-passengers include flight and cabin crews, airline customer service personnel, caterers, maintenance personnel, baggage handlers and other airport staff.
CATSA reviewed the continued certification of these individuals as screening officers and advised the employer that their services could not be billed to the authority under the current circumstances.
“The findings indicate that the personnel involved did not fulfil their core responsibility to protect the travelling public,” CATSA added. “At no point did CATSA request that the employer terminate the individuals involved.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers says the employer [Allied Universal] intended to bring the majority of affected employees back to work with a corrective action after determining that their conduct deviated from standard operating procedures but was not grounds for termination.
The association reminded its members to comply with screening procedures at all times and follow CATSA’s standard operating procedures.
Allied Universal didn’t respond to requests for comment by press time.
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