Airport security screeners in Calgary say they are being pushed to their limits under poor working conditions. Their union, Unifor Local 2002, has warned that workers are at a “breaking point” and that urgent changes are needed to protect their health and dignity on the job.
These security officers are the people who greet travellers, check boarding passes, run X-ray machines, and make sure baggage and passengers are safe before flights. Without them, Canada’s busy airports cannot function. But workers say their basic needs are being ignored.
Harold Bateman, assistant to the union president, said that in the past 17 months, members at Calgary International Airport have filed thousands of complaints about how they are treated at work.
The complaints describe officers being denied bathroom breaks, water, and even regular rest periods during long shifts. Some workers say they have waited hours for a break, while others were refused completely.
“It’s 2025, and to tell these hard-working people they can’t have access to water or a washroom, and that breaks will be delayed or denied, is completely unacceptable,” Bateman said.
The problem began in April 2024 when Paladin Airport Security Services took over the security contract at the Calgary airport. The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), a federal body, awarded Paladin a five-year contract worth up to $1 billion to handle airport security in the Prairie region.
Since Paladin took charge, the union says working conditions have worsened, even though the number of employees has stayed about the same as under the previous contractor, Garda World.
Workers even held a rally outside the airport last summer to protest the poor conditions, but problems have continued.
On August 30, 2025, Unifor sent a formal letter to CATSA, urging the authority to step in and demand action from Paladin.
“The membership is at a breaking point,” Bateman wrote. “It’s clear the company has no plan that is working.”
The union has asked for an urgent meeting with CATSA to discuss how workers’ rights and basic needs can be protected.
CATSA replied on Friday, stating that Paladin must treat the concerns with “the utmost seriousness.”
The authority said it expects all contractors to follow labour laws and agreements about working conditions. It also said it believes Paladin and the union can work together to find a solution.
Security lines at airports depend on having a full team. If even one officer is missing, the entire line may have to be closed.
Because of this, officers often cannot leave their position, even when they need to. This has created disturbing situations:
Some officers have soiled themselves after being denied washroom breaks.
Officers with medical conditions like diabetes have suffered from dangerously low blood sugar without being able to take a break.
Workers are often left without drinking water for hours during busy shifts.
Bateman said what began as a problem during peak travel times has now become an everyday issue.
In response, Paladin said it cares deeply about the well-being of its employees.
“Our priority is to ensure employees receive all required breaks while also delivering safe and effective screening services,” the company said in a statement.
Paladin added that it is committed to maintaining a positive workplace culture and providing safe conditions.
But the union says these promises are not reflected in daily reality. After a recent meeting between the union and Paladin, Bateman said he has little confidence the company intends to fix the problem.
The scale of the contract has also raised questions. CATSA announced in 2023 that Paladin would manage screening services at airports across the Prairies, with a deal worth up to $1 billion over five years. The contract can also be extended for up to two more five-year periods.
Union leaders argue that if a company is being paid such large sums of money, it must ensure its workers are treated with dignity and respect.
Before Paladin, Garda World managed the Calgary airport screeners. While there were occasional delays in breaks, Bateman said they were rare and minimal.
He also pointed out that he has not heard of similar problems at airports in other parts of Canada where different contractors are in charge.
“For some reason, this employer cannot fix this problem,” Bateman said.
The union is pushing for stronger oversight from CATSA and real changes from Paladin. Without improvements, screening officers fear their health will continue to suffer and airport safety could be at risk.
For now, travellers at Calgary International Airport may not see the full impact of these disputes, but behind the scenes, the officers who keep them safe are struggling with conditions they call inhumane.
As Bateman put it: “It’s not just about contracts or company profits. It’s about basic respect for the people who protect passengers every single day.”
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