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Posted
March 14, 2005 |
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By Jennifer Maloney |
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Privacy breached March 10, 2005, North Shore Outlook Port workers say new federal regulations that aim to tighten security at the waterfront breach their privacy. “We want to be safe at our workplace. We’re the front line of attack,” said Mike Leonard, director of labour relations for the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association at Monday's North Van City council meeting. “I just ask you to support this resolution. If the government can support these conditions they are going to expand and they'll soon be knocking on your door asking you to sign a work document too.” The resolution proposed by Leonard and a representative of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union was to have more discussion between port workers and Transport Canada before implementing the Marine Facility Restricted Area Clearance Program regulations. Leonard said employees felt the security clearance program, which asks them to sign a work document allowing the government to inquire into their bank accounts, question their vacation destinations up to five months and give information on their spouses and acquaintances, was too invasive. “If you don’t tell them, they can turn you down,” said Tom Footman, representative for the ILWU, which has 3,000 union members. “We’ve all seen what happens worldwide when security is breached, but right now if you don't have a card you can’t get on the dock.” Transport Canada and marine workers have had ongoing discussions to develop security regulations that are equitable to workers' privacy rights. Union employees say amendments made to draft regulations Jan. 31 raised questions not yet dealt with. In their letter to the Minister of Transport they wrote, “As drafted, the regulations could have serious consequences for the efficient movement of goods and people through Canadian ports. In addition, a new section ... concerning security clearance is unnecessarily intrusive and conflicts with fundamental tenets of justice and due process.” Both employee representatives had been advised there would be no further meetings with the working group to provide feedback on the draft. Coun. Darrell Mussatto said the security regulations were “not Canadian” and questioned whether they would eventually be enforced in airports as well. “I think it’s a tragedy that they’re going to do this - give someone the ability to check the money in your bank and question who your acquaintances are.” Mayor Barb Sharp said Vancouver Port employees already have the highest levels of security. “If Transport Canada wants to come back to this council and show us it’s reasonable then another motion can be made to support it.” Council voted to endorse the workers’ resolution. The regulations are scheduled to come in to effect by Feb. 2007. - 30 -
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