Press release
June 12, 2003
Can Toronto handle more hardship?
Pearson Airport management thinks so!
TORONTO – As it is preparing to lock out
some 600 workers on August 1, Toronto Pearson International Airport
management probably feels that the city has not experienced enough
hardship over the past few weeks.
This action will greatly disrupt people travelling to or through
Toronto, will increase delays and lead to flight cancellations.
Coming, as it does, on the heels of Air Canada’s precarious
situation, this irresponsible behaviour could and should be avoided,
says the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).
Gerry Halabecki, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President for Ontario,
deplores the fact that the economy in Toronto and Ontario is already
in a weakened state as a result of the SARS crisis. “Therefore,
the PSAC believes that it is incumbent on both union and management
to do everything in their power to negotiate a fair and reasonable
collective agreement, without a strike or lock-out.
“It would appear, however, that Toronto Airport management
is of another mind. It is demanding that the collective agreement
be stripped of provisions in virtually every regard, to name a few
- seniority rights, sick leave, overtime pay and pay equity.”
“What I find strangest of all,” indicated Christine
Collins, Regional Vice President for Ontario of the PSAC Union of
Canadian Transport Employees (UCTE), “is that this is happening
at a time when airport finances are in good shape. Management is
constantly repeating that the Air Canada situation will have no
long term impact on its income. Why then cause a labour dispute
which will have a tremendous impact on air traffic in Canada?”
wondered Collins.
PSAC represents approximately 600 workers at Toronto Pearson International
Airport. These women and men work in an administrative capacity
and are also responsible for runway maintenance and ground safety.
Their collective agreement expires on July 31, 2003. Negotiations
were launched May 9, but airport management took the unusual step
of requesting the appointment of a conciliator before negotiations
had even begun.
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Information: Gerry Halabecki
Regional Executive Vice-President - Ontario, PSAC
(416) 485-3558, ext. 232 or (416) 805 3987
Christine Collins
Regional Vice-President - Ontario, UCTE
(416) 485-3558, ext. 232
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