Union members stop work at Sterling Fuels, citing safety concerns

Health and safety concerns at Sterling Fuels in Windsor has led to intervention by the federal Ministry of Labour, according to the union representing workers at the Windsor dock.

Unifor Local 444 vice president Mike D'Agnolo claims Sterling Fuels asked several union members to do work without proper safety equipment and training.

Safety issues started to emerge after the company started transporting fuel by rail about a month ago, D'Agnolo said.

"There was just some health and safety concerns that we didn't feel the company was taking seriously," he told CBC News. "As we were learning more about the rail, the concerns became more present."

Sterling Fuels refuels freighters on the Detroit River, in west Windsor.

Officials at Sterling Fuels could not be reached for an interview.

CBC has called the Ministry of Labour for comment.