IMP workers off job in protest over safety issues

The union represents about 500 plane mechanics and other workers at IMP Aerospace in Halifax. (CBC)

About 150 workers at IMP Aerospace in Halifax refused to go to work Thursday, claiming their long list of health and safety concerns has fallen on deaf ears.

The members of the Canadian Auto Workers union stood outside their worksite at the airport.

Scott Beaver, president of Local 2215, claims the Nova Scotia Department of Labour issued 76 infraction orders between April 2004 and April 2006, but nothing has been done since the federal Labour Department took over.

"Despite all the accidents and incidents, work refusals, internal complaints, past orders by the province, calls and e-mails to the federal inspector, it's business as usual at IMP," Beaver said.

Toxic exposure alleged

He said some workers have been exposed to high radiation levels, while others have been exposed to polyurethane paint and solvents.

The workers say the final straw came this week when a white power was tracked around the worksite. They claim it was asbestos, a material used in construction that can lead to cancer if fibres are inhaled.

IMP lawyer Ron Campbell rejects that claim.

"Subsequent testing revealed that that was not asbestos and there was no asbestos contamination," he said. "We did air quality testing and we hired an external contractor to come in and do the cleanup."

Campbell said any concerns about unsafe practices are dealt with by a joint union-management committee on health and safety, which is required under federal law.

He also rejects the union's claim that there are 76 outstanding orders from the province and he doesn't know why the union has taken this stance.

The province oversaw safety regulations at IMP until 18 months ago, when the federal Department of Labour took over. A federal inspector is investigating the latest complaints from the union.

Campbell said company officials were hoping workers would be back on the job by the end of the day.

IMP Aerospace has military contracts to work on Canadian Sea King helicopters and Aurora patrol planes, as well as U.S. and Norwegian military aircraft. The CAW represents about 500 workers at the plant.

With files from the Canadian Press

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