News release

May 8, 2003

PSAC NATIONAL PRESIDENT LENDS SUPPORT TO GANDER AIRPORT WORKERS

GANDER - The Public Service Alliance of Canada’s National President Nycole Turmel walked the picket line at Gander International Airport to protest what she described as unacceptable labour relations practices by Airport management.

“The employer wants to fire half of the workers at the airport and contract out their jobs,” Turmel said. “The employer also wants to reduce the benefits for the workers who would stay after the lay-offs. That is appalling.”

Turmel also said that the negotiations at Gander could set a national precedent for other airport workers across the country and that the PSAC will do everything in its power to achieve the best possible contract for its members.

“We will not let our sisters and brothers fight alone in Gander. These workers deserve a collective agreement they can work with over the next few years and they will be showing the way for the negotiations to come at the other airports,” Turmel said.

The airports in St. John’s and in Gander are currently on strike and the PSAC will continue to put pressure on the Boards of Directors to make sure they understand the difficult issues the workers are facing. Several members from PSAC Locals in Newfoundland and Labrador joined the PSAC National President on the picket line at Gander.

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For more information: Dennis Simms (709) 424-0438
Fraser Hiscock (709) 424-5261