CATSA is playing Russian roulette with passengers safety

Teamsters Union, representing 1,500 pre-board Screening Officers in several airports, is concerned about CATSA layoffs...

LAVAL, QC, Jan. 20, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The president of Teamsters Canada is deeply concerned about what the Toronto Star has revealed regarding cuts in pre-board screening by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). The daily reports that close to 400 pre-board Screening Officers at Pearson airport have been laid off.

The Teamsters Union believes that CATSA's actions are misguided, and expects layoffs at other airports in the near future.

"CATSA executives are playing Russian roulette with the safety of Canadian workers and passengers," explained Robert Bouvier, President of Teamsters Canada, "and bureaucrats in the head office keep their jobs while staffing needs in the field are obvious."

"Stretched to the limit"

The president of Teamsters Canada observed that, in many airports, requests for overtime have soared over the past few months.

"Our members are stretched to the limit," asserted the union leader. "Transport Minister Lebel will have to explain himself if delays and incidents occur in airports. Is he wiling to be CATSA's scapegoat?"

Needless to say, longer line-ups in airports can also be expected and considerable pressure will be placed on Screening Officers to work faster, with all of the risks associated with passengers' safety and state of mind.

The Teamsters Union represents 1,500 screeners at the Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray and Winnipeg airports.

The Teamsters Union represents 125,000 members in Canada in all trades. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, with which Teamsters Canada is affiliated, has 1.4 million members in North America.

Stéphane Lacroix, Director of Communications, Teamsters Canada
Mobile: [phone]
Office: 450-682-5521 x236
Email: [email protected]