Customs problems at YUL
 

Sounds like unpleaseant job action to get caught up in. Hope it doesn't spread.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?V22E61DE1

In the spirit of Ronald Reagan (remember the air traffic controllers), FIRE ALL OF THEM!

Oh, you can't do that in Canada can you.

Reagan was able to fire the ATCs because they violated their contract. This is technically a work-to-rule I suppose, so it would be a lot harder to prove they're not doing their jobs.

andrew

If this spreads to other airports and entry points, it will be chaos.

What happened to the concepts of random secondary searches? And due cause?

While some here would accept the American ethos of labour relations -- i.e. indentured servatude -- others would like to feel we live in a "kindler, gentler" sort of country. Technically, Customs & Revenue is now an independent corporation, like Canada Post and NAVCAN, no longer a government agency nor Crown Corporation.

As the article notes, part of this dispute is an interpretation of roles and functions. Traditionally Customs officers enforce the regs related to entry of goods into Canada, to ensure any duties or taxes are collected if due. Adding the "security" role may be a stretch, but does suggest the officers might have a case of pay equity. If they choose to work to rule, as frustrating as that might be for those in line, they are just following directions of management.

My last experience entering the US via LAX INS was not a stellar example of efficiency under a Republican regime. There were over 300 of us off a UA 747 from NRT, and just three agents at the dozen gates to process us: 1 for American Citizens and 2 for the rest of us. Once the American Citizens cleared, that agent didn't start taking the rest of us, he went for lunch! So if anyone needs firing, it might be the supervisors of LAX INS.

Uh, no. Seems that you've forgotten one minor detail. While employers here in the US have many restrictions on their actions and policies regarding employees, the right of the employee to quit and find a job that better suits them is sacrosanct.

CCRA is not an independent corporation, it is a "Special Operating Agency" like the Passport Office. Administratively it still falls under the direction of the Minister, and its employees are still employed by the Treasury Board.

Canada Post and NavCan are crown corporations with independent boards and officers, as well as separate employment agreements with their employees' bargaining units.

Thank you for the clarification AC*SE. It just seems when you talk to employees at the Post Office or go to a "RevCanada" wicket, they make the point of saying that neither are "civil servants" any more.

I agree with the idea of firing these people. I wouldn't be surprised if Chairman Jean were to introduce some sort of legislation limiting their "job action".

In that case what happens if you miss your conencting flight because of this delay in processing?
Because the connection is legal, would AC have to protect you or would you be SOL?(which would be really bad)

Don't they usually do that to all passengers at YVR anyways? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

If you miss your flight because you were stuck in customs (lineups or secondary), AC would protect you on the next flight out.

If customs referred me to Immigration with my Canadian passport I would freak out - this type of conduct is simply a non starter. Good luck getting any public sympathy on such a job action - on the merits I agree they should all be classed the same as immig. officers.

Have you flown AC8/12 from HKG? 99.9% of the people get sent in there. A ***** sent me in there once because she said it was 'suspicious' that I changed my stay from 7 days to 6 days. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif (When the real reason is because my duty free exemption when from $750 to $200 so they think they could squeeze some $ from me)

Technically, everyone is subject to an examination by both Customs and Immigration when they seek admission to Canada. Customs conduct the primary inspection and the principle is that they determine whether anyone warrants a secondary examination by an Immigration Inspector.

Therefore, they are actually filtering OUT those that they do not believe require the complete interview from an Immigration Officer that is required under law - there is no requirement for RPG's to send someone for an Immigration interview and, therefore, they are not, in my view, in breach of any provision.

The argument over the disparity in pay between Customs and Immigration has waged for years and varies from port to port depending on the working relationship which the two agencies have in that particular location. Customs Inspectors have often argued that they deserve pay parity because they are, by conducting primary inspection duties, doing the work of Immigration Officers as well as Customs Inspectors. In the case of Montreal, things have broken down

I have a lot of sympathy for Customs and Immigration because I used to be both an Inspector with CCRA and an IO. Now that I travel a lot in my new line of work, I can also join the moans about the time it takes to go through, etc. etc. but it's a thankless job and the pay is a lot lower than the police but the risks can sometimes be as high - I was assaulted on the job, had to deal with wanted felons without any form of protection myself and came across a lot of nasty characters in my day.

The current situation is unfortunate and it sheds a bad light on a profession that serves a very important purpose and which is often thankless. Yes, I think that the course of action taken by Customs in YUL is wrong but let's not turn this into a complete slugfest...


My two cents' worth...



[This message has been edited by DJC (edited 09-27-2002).]