Labour minister intervenes in airport screener dispute in Atlantic Canada

OTTAWA – Canada’s labour minister is growing concerned about the possibility of labour action by 800 airport screeners in the Atlantic provinces.

Lisa Raitt has asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board to review the situation and ensure public safety would not be affected by a work stoppage.

The workers’ current contract expires this Wednesday.

Their union, the United Steelworkers, says its members have voted almost unanimously to strike, and could walk off the job on Thursday.

The workers employer, Securitas Transport Aviation Security Limited, delivers airport screening services on behalf of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority

Raitt has been quick to intervene in labour disputes if they might affect the economy, notably in job disputes at Air Canada and Canada Post.

“I am concerned that the parties have not been able to conclude new collective agreements,” Raitt said in a news release issued Friday.

The government release says until the labour board makes a ruling on what level of service must be provided to ensure public safety, both the union and the company must continue their normal work activities.