Yarmouth Press Release
May 05, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Port of Entry Status for Yarmouth Endangered - 23 Border Services Officers Affected By Discontinuation of Ferry Service Halifax Nova Scotia, 03 February, 2010 – Border Services Officers working at the port of Yarmouth have recently been advised by the Canada Border Service Agency that their future employment may be affected by the recent withdrawal of the subsidy from the Government of Nova Scotia to Bay Ferries. Twenty-three positions are involved. “The withdrawal of service may endanger Port of Entry status for Yarmouth” says Brett Evans. President of Nova Scotia Branch, Customs and Immigration Union. The formal notification is the first step of work adjustment procedures detailed in the collective agreement between Treasury Board and the Public Service Alliance of Canada. Without intervention, members will likely see their jobs eliminated. This would lead to a total loss of more than 1.25 million dollars of direct income from the area. “This assault on a quality public service could have devastating implications for the workers, their families and their community,” says Jeannie Baldwin, Regional Executive Vice-President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada. At risk is Yarmouth’s Port of Entry (POE) status. With no service this status could be revoked, compromising the possibility of any future marine or air services ever being offered in the area. Formal decisions would have to be made by Ottawa to reinstate the status. “This would not be a sure thing.” said Evans. In any event restoring CBSA services would require considerable lead time. A minimum of 16 weeks basic training for a new officer is required. Seats need to be allocated at he Agency’s college. The recruitment process for candidates to the training program typically takes a year or more. The agency would require considerable lead time if a new operators were to step forward in future years.
“It would be tragic if next year or in 2012,
new services were proposed and could not be accommodated for logistical reasons. The provincial government and other stakeholders must realize that current decisions will have long term implications,” says Mr. Evans. “Customs and Immigration Union will stand by our members and the services we provide.”
Another fall out of the decision is a hefty 3 million dollar cancellation penalty that will be incurred by the province. It is CIU’s position that all levels of government and the provider must work together to find an interim solution. The union proposes that the current subsidy be extended for one more year of the current operation. This would provide the possibility of finding a long term stable service that meets the needs of Nova Scotia and the country. This is essential to grow trade and further the Atlantic Gateway concept. Border Services Officers play a vital part in the protection of Canadian society. They perform principal roles in the enforcement of Customs, Immigration and Agricultural Acts and Regulations along with the Criminal Code and over eighty other acts of parliament. CIU Nova Scotia Branch represents approximately 270 employees engaged in variety of roles with the Canada Border Services Agency in Nova Scotia. The Customs and Immigration Union represents over 10,000 members, nation wide and is a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada. -30- For further information, contact Brett Evans, President, Nova Scotia Branch, Customs and Immigration Union, (902)-880-2365 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .