JFK air security staff votes to strike

Around 200 private security officers at New York's JFK Airport have voted to strike five days before Christmas.

Travel Mole - The workers have accused their employer, Air Serv Corp, of failing to deal with "systemic lapses in security standards" and of intimidating them into keeping quiet about their poor working conditions.

They said they have to deal with "shoddy equipment, rushed searches and lack of training that endangers the flying public".

One officer, who is featured in a video on the union's website, complained: "We are not provided the basic tools we need to keep passengers at the airport safe. Our backs are against the wall because Air Serv tells us to shut up. Don't talk about how bad things are."