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Cranky customs workers demand new $8 million building

Canada Customs and Revenue Agency has served notice that it wants a new $8 million building at the International Bridge and it wants it by 2011. The demand was disclosed today at a meeting of the Joint International Bridge Authority (JIBA).
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Canada Customs and Revenue Agency has served notice that it wants a new $8 million building at the International Bridge and it wants it by 2011.

The demand was disclosed today at a meeting of the Joint International Bridge Authority (JIBA).

Local customs workers are extremely upset about the state of their workplace and lack of wage parity with their U.S. counterparts.

They're in no mood to wait for improved working conditions, the meeting was told.

In fact, work stoppages are inevitable because Canada Customs staffers are unable to do their work, JIBA members were advised.

International Bridge General Manager Phil Becker said today that the need for a new building is at the top of Canada Customs and Revenue Agenecy's local priority list.

Concerns raised by customs officials:

- the existing electrical system is obsolete and grossly undersized, preventing installation of needed computer, X-ray and fingerprinting technology

- so many 'band aid' additions have been made to the existing electrical infrastructure that the loads on several disconnects are not known and much of the equipment is not labelled, making it difficult to maintain and compromising safety

- there are numerous problems associated with a recent expansion of the women's locker room in the traffic building, including removal of a rooftop air-handling unit and a floor drain that's illegally cross-connected to the storm sewer. Strong sewage odours are often present in the building

- there are roof leaks in the traffic and commercial buildings

- the fence needs to be repaired in the truck compound

- there are significant health and safety problems with the customs booths, particularly those in lanes one and two, which need to be replaced

- in the traffic building, gun cabinets and the PASS radio system are in public view, and there's no room for processing buses or office space for staff

- in the commercial building, workers are seeking public space and parking for truckers and warehouse secondary examination space

What they're doing about it

In a bid to alleviate concerns over the short term, JIBA aqreed today to seek tenders on eletrical and ventilation improvements to the existing customs building, expected to cost around $300,000.

JIBA also agreed to review its master plan to determine whether it should include a new Canada Customs building.

However, authority members were advised today that all levels of government have not yet confirmed their participation in the new truck route, which will require changes to the way truck traffic is handled at the International Bridge.

JIBA members want to know the outcome of that project before planning can begin on a new customs building in Sault Ste. Marie.


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David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
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