Union slams ‘dystopian’ Swissport surveillance plans

The Transport Workers’ Union has slammed what it calls “Big Brother-esque” plans by ground handling giant Swissport to install surveillance cameras on its airport vehicles.

Editor’s note: This story first appeared on HR Leader’s sister brand, Australian Aviation.

The cameras, which will record video and audio of anyone in the vicinity, were meant to be installed in June but have been delayed following furious pushback from the union, which says they will “silence workers and increase safety risks which are already high at the company”.

In a letter to the TWU seen by Australian Aviation, Swissport told the union that the equipment would not record “private conversations”, as workers have been “expressly informed that audio surveillance will operate”.

“A conversation held by two or more employees on or near [ground support equipment] would not trigger the definition of a 'private conversation' as there is no reasonable basis for any employee to consider that their conversations on or near GSE would be private,” the company wrote.

“Should an employee seek to have a private conversation with another employee, then the parties to that conversation can use any one of a number of areas that are not subject to audio recording to hold that conversation.”

In a press release, Michael Kaine, national secretary of the TWU, said the move was “another appalling example of the disdain with which Swissport treats its workforce”.

“Swissport workers are rushed, under-staffed and getting injured at alarming rates. They’re pressured to cut corners to get aircraft out on time,” he said.

“Instead of addressing these systemic issues, Swissport is choosing to watch, record and intimidate the people working to keep planes moving and passengers safe.”

Swissport has said that the main purpose of the equipment is to investigate health and safety incidents and prevent misconduct.

“The technology we use is for the purpose of enhancing operational and safety outcomes, including to assist where additional safety or training support is required,” a spokesperson told The Australian Financial Review.

“This technology is installed on work equipment and vehicles to avoid locations where our people may have private conversations.”

Kaine, however, has accused the company of “eliminating any sense of privacy” to “stop workers speaking out” and says it will harm safety.

“When safety concerns are already not taken seriously by Swissport management, this new dystopian technique will only increase distrust of management and with it the risk of serious incidents occurring,” he said.

“It is no coincidence that this move has come as more and more Swissport workers join the TWU to demand change.

“Swissport and airlines like Qantas which contract it must stop their antagonistic approach to workers and instead guarantee decent pay, conditions and training to improve safety at our airports.”

According to the TWU, a survey of Swissport workers earlier this year found 39 per cent had been injured, including one who almost lost his leg in December; 73 per cent had been pressured to work unsafely; 60 per cent complained of unsafe equipment; and half said their safety concerns had not been resolved.