13-5-02

EDINBURGH AIRPORT STAFF CONCERNS MUST BE ADDRESSED SAYS BARRETT

John Barrett MP, the Scottish Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Cross Border
Transport and MP for Edinburgh West, today called on the British Airports
Authority (BAA) and the Government to address concerns over standards in
safety at Edinburgh Airport.

The news follows comments made by the GMB Union that standards are falling
because of overworked staff and a series of cost cutting measures. John
Barrett has now tabled a number of Parliamentary questions to the Transport
Secretary to ask Government inspectors to investigate the claims.

John Barrett MP said:

"The GMB Union has made very serious allegations, claiming that poor wages
and long hours are having a serious impact on the high standards in safety
which we have come to expect from Edinburgh Airport.

"BAA and the Government must now investigate these claims rather than
dismissing them outright. At a time when we are trying to renew confidence
in our air transport industry, such confidence will never come about so long
as some of Edinburgh airport's own staff are questioning safety standards."

ENDS