The Canadian Auto Workers' Union (CAW) Local 2182 has criticized the Canadian Coast Guard's plan to reduce staff on watch at marine centres, effective this month.
The union, which represents marine communications officers at Cape Lazo and other centres, fears the safety of boaters might be jeopardized due to inadequate resources during emergency situations.
But the coast guard maintains its top priority is maritime safety services.
"And we wouldn't do anything to compromise that," said Susan Steele, regional director of maritime services for the Coast Guard's Pacific Region. "What we're doing is basically balancing the bringing back of staff on overtime to workload."
She said a staff member would not be called in for overtime in situations where someone is not available during low workload periods.
"We're balancing the number of staff available with the workload that is achieved," Steele said. "This is not a move to reduce staff. We're just trying to use our staff and our resources as effectively as possible."
That said, supervisors have the flexibility to bring in someone when they foresee a situation or workload that warrants overtime.
Steele said the assessment is a result of an extensive workload study the coast guard conducted regionally and nationally.
Cape Lazo is one of five marine communications and traffic services centres in B.C. The others are located in Vancouver, Victoria, Ucluelet and Prince Rupert.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
