Media advisory - Saturday - Armoured car workers rally at federal Minister of Public Safety Steven Blaney's office

Danger on the job requires stronger regulations, says Unifor

LEVIS, QC, May 22, 2014 /CNW/ - Armoured car workers are ramping up their campaign to shed light on the danger they face at work and the risk to the public who get caught in the crossfire.

Since 2000, there have been more than 70 attacks on armoured vehicles - with three in the past year, including one involving a death in Longueuil on February 1.

Unifor members in the armoured car industry are being bussed in to hold a rally at Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Steven Blaney's constituency office in Levis, Quebec, calling on the minister to establish a taskforce on the armoured car and secure logistics industry that would undertake comprehensive policy research, gather stakeholders' views and develop recommendations and legislative guidance.

So far, Minister Blaney has refused to meet with Unifor members.

Rally: 'Safety is our business'
Saturday, May 24, 2014
MP Steven Blaney's constituency office
115 President-Kennedy Road, Suite 101
Lévis, Quebec G6V 6C8

The rally will begin at 1 p.m.

Numerous calls, letters and emails sent to Minister Blaney's office by Unifor National President Jerry Dias, armoured car workers and others requesting a meeting on the issue have not been successful.

Unifor is calling on federal lawmakers to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework - to enhance safety and prevent crime by establishing minimum standards in employee training, vehicle specifications, crew compliments and safety equipment requirements.

Unifor represents 305,000 members across the country, including 2,000 members in the armoured car and secure logistics industry, employed largely by Brinks and G4S.

SOURCE: Unifor

please contact Unifor Local 4266 President André Desjardins (bilingual) 613-355-0754 or visit: http://www.unifor.org/en/take-action/campaigns/keep-workers-safe-their-cargo