Union to meet with CIC, CBSA over guns in the workplace

At CIC workplaces co-located with Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) staff, armed officers bring individuals, some dangerous, into custody. A potential confrontation between armed CBSA officers and detainees has CIC members concerned for their safety and the union will meet with management from both CIC and the CBSA to pursue a solution.

The issue was raised at the union’s CIC Advisory Committee meeting in late February and discussed initially at a National Union Management Consultation Committee meeting soon after. The union has also pursued the matter at a meeting of the CIC Health and Safety Policy Committee.

Finding a full solution will involve both departments and CEIU has, accordingly, requested a joint meeting with management from the CBSA and CIC. Front-end office staff at the CBSA have reported similar concerns to their union, CEUDA. In response, CEIU has invited CEUDA to send a representative to the joint CIC-CBSA meeting.

“Our members are concerned for their safety” said National President Jeannette Meunier-McKay, “because when firearms enter the workplace, confrontations may take a dangerous turn. We need a solution that ensures the safety of our members.”