SECURITY NIGHTMARES: AIRPORT FIREFIGHTERS STRIKE OVER SAFETY
FIREFIGHTERS at Scotland's largest airport went on strike yesterday - a week after an intruder tried to set a plane alight on the runway.
The Transport and General Workers' Union said 56 of its 59 members at Glasgow Airport walked out at noon because of safety concerns over the withdrawal of the only fire engine.
Operators BAA insist the industrial action has been sparked by overtime cutbacks.
They said staff from their other UK airports were providing cover and it was 'business as usual' for passengers.
T&G regional industrial organiser Donald Munro said: 'This dispute is fundamentally about the safety of airport users - both staff and the travelling public.'
Glasgow Airport managing director Stephen Baxter said he was disappointed the firefighters had proceeded with the action.
He added: 'BAA have robust contingency plans. We anticipate no disruption as a result of the industrial action.'
Meanwhile, a team of 20 police officers are working from an incident room inside the airport in a bid to trace the fire-raiser who started last week's blaze.
The man used a plank of wood to climb a perimeter fence before trying to set a plane on fire.
Detective Superintendent Jim Porteous confirmed the man had driven down the motorway with the scaffolding plank strapped to the side of his black BMW.
He said: 'This was a determined attempt to set this plane on fire and destroy it.
'The first known sighting of the car is it travelling from the Glasgow direction westbound near Cardonald around 3.30am.
'Until we get the person there's no way of knowing what the motive was.'
Cheers,
White Cap