UNION staff representing security personnel who failed to stop a government inspector with a gun and 'bomb' breaching Stansted Airport checkpoints say the incident highlights poor staffing levels and low morale at the airport.

UNION staff representing security personnel who failed to stop a government inspector with a gun and 'bomb' breaching Stansted Airport checkpoints say the incident highlights poor staffing levels and low morale at the airport.

Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) representatives called for talks with airport bosses following news of the breach, when an inspector tested security by walking through a metal detector with a handgun in his trouser belt.

Security staff failed to spot the weapon and an eight-inch replica bomb, which passed through an x-ray machine in a shopping bag.

TGWU regional industrial organiser Peter Allenson said the union, which represents more than 1,200 workers at the airport ? including security staff ? had asked for urgent talks to find out what happened.

He said: 'We need to have a good understanding of the incident and its implications and any recommendations for change that the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions might want to suggest ? either improving staffing levels, training or whatever it may be.'

He said staff, including security staff who missed the breach, are feeling the strain of long working hours and increasing workloads.

'We need to look at this big issue of morale in the workforce. It's well recognised that staffing levels for a number of companies are kept fairly tight ? it's been a challenging summer season. Sometimes the staffing levels don't necessarily reflect the throughput in terms of passengers.'

Mr Allenson added: 'It's important to realise there are long shifts. Staff need appropriate rest periods and breaks away from stressful situations.'

A spokesman for the General Municipal Boilermakers Union (GMB), which represents 600 baggage handling and carrier staff at the airport, said services were becoming increasingly stretched.

Regional senior organiser Ed Blissett said: 'Morale isn't high at the airport owing to low wages, long hours and not very good conditions.

'Sometimes mistakes will be made when people are doing excessive amounts of overtime, covering for people who have left the airport because they're fed up with working long hours and late nights.'