The union representing security screeners at Pearson International Airport is warning of longer lineups and declining safety as almost 300 of its members faced layoffs and reduced hours Wednesday.

Garda Security Solutions, the private company that hires the screeners, said it will "temporarily" lay off 68 workers and cut the hours of another 231.

"The current complement of screening officers is barely adequate to manage the current traffic flow," Canadian Airport Workers’ Union spokesman Denis Ellickson said in a statement.

"The reduction of hours has the potential to compromise the safety and security of the travelling public.”

The union said the layoffs come amid a 5.5-per-cent rise in passenger traffic at Pearson in the first nine months of last year.

A Pearson spokeswoman told the Toronto Star the airport does not expect the change to cause any major delays.