The Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE) Pleased with Senate
"Seeing the Light" Report on Staffed Lighthouses

OTTAWA, Dec. 21 /CNW/ - The Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE) National President Christine Collins is pleased to learn that the Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans has recommended keeping, and even enhancing the role of lightkeepers in the Senate report Seeing the Light: Report on Staffed Lighthouses in Newfoundland and Labrador and British Columbia which was released today.

"UCTE is happy to note that Senate committee members have recognized the key role our lightkeepers play along Canada's coastlines and the essential services they provide," stated Collins.  "We have long maintained that our lightkeepers are an asset and that their presence on our coastlines saves lives."

UCTE congratulates Senate committee members for listening closely to what UCTE and the lightkeepers have repeatedly told them about the services they perform.

"We sincerely hope that the Canadian Coast Guard will now halt its current destaffing plan, as recommended by this report, and that a long-term policy for lightstations be developed that will ensure a continuation of a suitable level of staffing of our lightstations," added Collins.

Finally, UCTE considers it essential that the Canadian Coast Guard initiate consultations as soon as possible with other concerned government departments and agencies, with its lightkeepers and with UCTE to discuss long term options, respecting the Senate committee's view that "staffed lightstations are an opportunity, not a liability."

The Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE) is a Component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).  UCTE represents over 8 000 members working at Transport Canada, the Transportation Safety Board, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canadian Coast Guard), airports, private employers, NAV Canada and the Parks Canada Agency.

For further information:

Madeleine Faucher
Communications and Research Officer
UCTE
[phone] ext. 2993
[phone] cell
[e-mail]

Stephen Dunsmore
Regional Vice-President: Pacific
UCTE
[phone]

Christine Collins
National President
UCTE
[phone]