On July 5, Unifor held a rally at Calgary International Airport during the Calgary Stampede to protest Paladin Security’s treatment of its workers. The union alleges that Paladin, which took over airport security services on April 1, has failed to provide adequate bathroom and water breaks to its employees.
“Access to water and washrooms are the most basic of asks in a workplace,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “It’s not just fundamental decency, it’s about human rights. Unifor members, day in and out, are keeping passengers and the Calgary airport safe and deserve respect.”
The rally is a response to numerous complaints from the 937 members of Unifor Local 2002, who work as airport screening officers, training specialists, and team leaders. The members have reported poor working conditions, including the inability to take scheduled breaks and being sent home due to alleged overstaffing, only to have breaks cancelled later in the shift due to understaffing.
Workers at other airports in Canada are permitted to carry water bottles or keep them in localized areas at checkpoints, but this is not allowed at Calgary International, for reasons that remain unclear. Some workers have reportedly been threatened with disciplinary action for attempting to take breaks when relief staff are unavailable.
“Paladin needs to recognize the urgency of addressing these deplorable working conditions immediately,” said Unifor Local 2002 President Tammy Moore. “We’re demanding that all members be treated with dignity and respect and be granted the decency to work in acceptable conditions. We need to stand strong together in solidarity and show Paladin that we will not tolerate this treatment.”
Unifor has filed grievances and health and safety complaints against Paladin, citing instances of workers fainting or experiencing medical issues due to lack of breaks. The union also noted that last year, workers suffered from heat stress due to inadequate ventilation and air conditioning at the airport. This spring, fans were removed from checkpoints altogether under Paladin’s management.
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), responsible for providing airport security, contracts out the work to companies like Paladin. Unifor is calling on CATSA to ensure that its contractors treat workers with respect and adhere to basic human rights standards.
Unifor, Canada’s largest private-sector union, represents 320,000 workers across various industries.