Traffic into Canada at the Blue Water Bridges saw some delays that reached 60 to 90 minutes that began Tuesday evening and continued well into Wednesday. According to officials at the bridge, Canada Border Services Agency officers walked off the job shortly before 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, because they questioned the health and safety implications of a new requirement to wear a name tag rather than a number on their uniform. They returned to their stations and the bridge crossing saw normal operations about 1 p.m. Wednesday. Reports say the border services agency had been working with staff, labor relations and union representatives in preparation of the change from badge numbers. The labor dispute also halted Canada-bound traffic on the Bluewater Ferry for some time Wednesday. Using a name tag aligns the agency’s policy with its partners according to the Canada Border Services Agency; uniformed officers in the Canadian Forces, Correctional Service Canada and U.S. Customs and Border Protection all wear name tags. Canadian labor law states workers are allowed to refuse work they perceive to be dangerous. A health and safety officer from the Labour Program of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada is expected to make a ruling on the issue.
