In a move to prevent false fire alarms during this spring's student exams, Western University has hired extra staff from private security companies, CBC News has learned.

A statement from Keith Marnoch, Western's director of media and community relations, confirms that security staff are on hand "to ensure there is no disruption to exams for our students."

The university would not confirm any more details, saying "we don't make a habit of commenting on security."

However CBC News has learned the security officers are stationed in about 20 campus buildings, with staff working 16-hour shifts. One of the companies under contract is Code Red Operative Group. The company's website says its services include event security, labour disputes and loss prevention.

Ongoing labour negotiations

CBC News has also learned the extra security is in place — at least in part — due to heightened worries about false alarms during the ongoing labour negotiations with Western's graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) who are represented by Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC). Graduate students often supervise undergraduate exams.

About 2,000 graduate GTAs are in a legal strike position since rejecting a final contract offer last Friday. GTAs have been working without a contract since August. Both sides have continued to negotiate this week. The university could also legally lock out the GTAs but has so far opted not to.

Many students who spoke to CBC News say they've noticed the extra security. Some said they find it unsettling.

We usually do not have security during exams at all, - Sabrina Hope

​CBC News has learned that many faculty members consider the extra staff and excessive step.

"This is not normal," said Sabrina Hope, a graduate student and a member of the PSAC local negotiating with the university. "We usually do not have security during exams at all."

Mary Blake Bonn is the president of the Society of Graduate Students (SOGS). She questions whether the extra security is necessary.

"I don't see the connection the university sees between the TA negotiations and fire alarms being pulled," she said.

Mary Blake Bonn, the president of Western's Society of Graduate Students, questions the university's decision to hire extra security staff to prevent false fire alarm pulls during exams. (Andrew Lupton/CBC News)

"It's strange that this is happening now," she added. "The December exams didn't look like this."

Bonn has also heard reports that GTAs working to supervise undergraduate exams were being asked for identification.

Western offered the teaching assistants a three per cent increase over two years, which would have given them an hourly rate of $45.83 as of September 1, 2019, according to union documents. But union officials said the increase would only cover the cost of inflation.

The spring exam period began last week and continues until April 30.