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OTTAWA, June 5, 2014 /CNW/ - Representatives of Unifor, the union representing armoured car workers, met with Director General of Policing Policy Mark Potter, from the office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, this morning over the union's concerns about safety within the industry.
The union repeated its call for a taskforce which would examine the lack of regulations within the armoured car industry and make a series of recommendations for improving safety - for both workers and the public. In the meeting today, the union focused on training - including the need for extensive training on the use of firearms and preventative measures around use of force.
In attendance were national representatives Mike Armstrong, heading up the armoured car safety campaign; Andre Desjardins, Unifor Local 4266 President representing Brinks workers in Ottawa and Angelo DiCaro, Unifor research department.
"Higher safety and training standards in the armoured car sector are vitally important to ensure workers and the public are protected against violent crime," said Andre Desjardins, armoured car worker and president of Unifor Local 4266. "We had a very productive meeting with Mr. Potter today, who was very receptive to our concerns."
Potter's office received a copy of the union's policy research and recommendations and expressed that the issue warrants further attention. Unifor will continue to call for a meeting with the Minister.
Unifor has engaged in a year-long campaign to push lawmakers to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework to enhance safety and prevent crime by establishing minimum standards in employee training, vehicle specifications, crew compliments and safety equipment requirements.
On May 24, Unifor held a rally at Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Steven Blaney's Levis, QC constituency office, bussing in armoured car workers from Ottawa, joined by Unifor members in Quebec. The goal of the rally was to shed light on the danger workers face on the job and the risk to the public who get caught in the crossfire. Hundreds of petitions to Blaney have also been signed by Unifor members within the industry.
Unifor represents 305,000 members across the country, including 2,000 members in the armoured car and secure logistics industry, employed largely by Brinks and G4S.
SOURCE Unifor
