Safety demanded for Sydney baggage handlers

The union representing baggage handlers at Sydney Airport is calling for more to be done to ensure their safety in the workplace.

Transport Workers Union spokesman Tony Sheldon says baggage handlers were put at risk last week when they were told to board a Pacific Blue flight from Fiji, after an anonymous caller warned of a suspicious package on board.

The call was a hoax, but six handlers removed bags from the plane so they could be inspected by sniffer dogs.

Mr Sheldon says the bags should have been handled by trained bomb experts.

He says the union has called a meeting with the airline next week and that the federal Transport Minister and the baggage handlers' contractor have been invited.

A spokeswoman for Pacific Blue says the airline has worked with security agencies to ensure a safe outcome for passengers and airport staff.

- RADIO AUSTRALIA