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Security Guards at one the world's busiest airports have stood together to reduce standing times and increase staffing levels.  On 2nd June the management of Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport and its security contractors agreed to employ at least 40 more full time security workers to reduce standing time for security guards, who are responsible for passenger screening, to two hours (in line with the latest scientific recommendations) and to introduce climate control. All of these will be implemented by the guaranteed deadlines.

This win followed a series of short work stoppages over several weeks – organised via SMS messaging – during which security check points were closed while the workers leafleted passengers about their concerns over security risks, and a big, united action day on 1st June together with other airport workers like baggage handlers, cleaners and other ground staff. A FNV survey of security workers in February had revealed very high levels of concerns over workload, light levels and heat in the workplace which impact on the guards' ability to check passengers and luggage effectively.

The victory for security guards has come at the same time that the national airline, KLM, was forced to drop its plans to outsource of 6,000 of the 17,000 ground workers’ jobs at Schiphol. The widespread anger of the baggage handlers, depot, check-in and other workers led to a mass participation in the FNV action day and demonstration outside KLM’s head office on 19 May. Within a day, KLM agreed to drop the proposals and start the negotiations with a clean slate. There will be further actions to keep up the pressure on the company until the negotiations conclude in early July.

Cihan Ugural, the FNV Airports Campaign Leader (pictured), said: “We are very happy with the wins for our ground workers, and the victory for the security workers. The Airports United global actions on 1 June really helped us as they gave Schiphol the last push. We’ve demonstrated worker power so we are clearly on Schiphol’s radar now.”

Schiphol was one of 33 airports at which protests were organised on 1 June to launch 'Airports United', a new global network of airport workers to fight for economic justice, safety and security in the industry.

UNI Global Union General Secretary, Phillip Jennings, said , 'Right now we are seeing record profits for airlines and aiports around the world, but it's on the back of the workers who are under pressure to reduce wages and job security while increasing their work loads. The race to the bottom mentality that creates these low paid and insecure jobs has to end. An organised global fight back is the only solution. FNV's victory shows us what is possible when workers coordinate across borders. UNI is proud to be a part of Airports United.'

Show your support for Airports United on Twitter and Facebook using #airportworkers.