Union concerned about planned cuts to marine centres

SAINT JOHN, N.B. - The union representing Marine Communications and Traffic Services personnel is concerned planned cuts could be putting mariner's lives in danger.

The Canadian Auto Workers Union says the plan is to reduce service hours in a number of stations, including Saint John,where distress calls are monitored and marine traffic regulated.

C.A.W. Local 2182 President Martin Gregoire says their biggest concern is having enough officers on watch to detect all distress calls. "If you only have two officers on watch and those two officers are busy doing something else, there is a chance that this weak call coming from this mariner from two in the morning being missed", says Gregoire

Gregoire says the union plans to say more on the issue at a news conference in early February.