Understaffing at Canadian airports leads to delays and lost luggage
Airport workers do not cope with the volume of work, which leads to a spoiled vacation for passengers.
Employees at Canadian airports complain of poor working conditions and that wages do not match the volume, demands, and severity of their work. They have to work long hours, including overtime, but this does not solve the problem.
Many passengers are reporting that cases of lost luggage are on the rise. Laura Pichette, 19, had to wait more than three weeks for her suitcases while on vacation in Belgium. She got them back a week after she returned to Ottawa. She said about ten other passengers on her flight faced a similar situation.
"A large number of surveillance staff have quit because of low wages and poor working conditions, so airports are severely understaffed," said David Lipton, a USW union representative in Ottawa.
Lipton also notes that usually there are about 350 screening officers at airports, but now there are only 200. In addition, waiting times at airports have increased significantly, which leads to the congestion of large numbers of people. This could have a negative impact on the epidemiological situation due to the spread of COVID-19.
The federal government says they are aware of the delays and are working to solve the problem. Officials also say about 900 people have been hired for baggage screening positions since April.
On Monday, June 20, airport employees will go to work in casual wear instead of uniforms as a protest against hard, underpaid labor.
