Union demands action to curb violence at Sydney Airport

Six Customs officers rushed to the aid of a colleague who was punched in an incident at Sydney International Airport on August 23.

The incident happened when a non-traveller entered the departures area and was unhappy when he was asked to leave the area. Airport Uniform Police were called but it took seven minutes for police to arrive. Two staff had to be taken away for medical attention.

CPSU President Michael Tull said the attack was made worse because of a lack of security staff at the entrance to the departures area where Customs officers check passports and travel documents.  

“Customs staff provide an essential service for travellers,” Mr Tull said.

“Their job is tough enough without them having to put their bodies on the line to protect their colleagues and travellers from violent incidents.

“We have been raising concern about the poor security measures for a long time. It’s time that management took action to ensure the safety of travellers and airport staff.

“What we need is an increase in security guards and an increase in Airport Uniform Police at the airport.”

Five hundred Customs staff work at the Sydney International Airport which is the nation’s busiest airport with more than 33 million passengers using it each year.

The CPSU will meet representatives from Customs on Thursday to discuss the incident.