Border Services Officers Return to Work Following Labour Canada Rulings

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 12, 2012) - As part of its commitment to service excellence, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) initiated the implementation of name tags for all frontline CBSA officers on December 11, 2012. In response to this implementation, some border services officers (BSOs) invoked their legislated right to refuse to work on the basis of concerns for their health and safety.

Today, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) Labour Programs ruled in a number of cases that the wearing of name tags does not constitute a danger to our officers. BSOs at the affected locations have now returned to work with their name tags. Additional decisions are expected in due course.

The CBSA wishes to thank all travellers and commercial stakeholders for their understanding and patience while the work refusals were underway. We also wish to thank our officers and managers who worked tirelessly, and long hours, in order to maintain border services.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Canada Border Services Agency Headquarters
Media line
613-957-6500