Air

WestJet workers in Toronto ratify their first collective agreement

TORONTO – The 350 members of Unifor Local 531 have overwhelmingly ratified their first collective agreement with WestJet at Pearson International Airport in Toronto (YYZ).

“Congratulations to our WestJet members and the bargaining committee,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

WestJet workers in Toronto get their first tentative agreement

TORONTO – The 350 members of Unifor Local 531 have reached their first tentative deal with WestJet at Pearson International Airport in Toronto.

“A first contract sets the base from which we bargain in the future and WestJet members have worked hard to reach this tentative agreement,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “By joining Unifor, WestJet members have gained a strong voice to improve their working conditions and can now do so through collective bargaining.”

CATCA bargaining continues with Nav Canada in Toronto

Bargaining Bulletin #9

Your CATCA Bargaining Committee met with NAV Canada April 17th to 21st in Toronto.

On Tuesday, CATCA presented our second Offer to Settle to NAV Canada. On Thursday, NAV presented a counter offer. The remainder of the week was spent developing language around the job protection provisions of the Collective Agreement and analyzing the offers.

Government Inaction Leaves Air Passengers and Workers Stranded

Published in The Hill Times April 19, 2023

There’s no denying that air transport workers and travellers have been through the wringer the last three years.

During the busy travel seasons of 2022, think summer vacation and December holidays, the industry was in shambles with long line-ups, canceled flights, stranded passengers, lost luggage, and excessive security wait times.

GTAA’s travel cap fails passengers and workers

TORONTO – Leading up to March break and the busy summer travel season, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) decision to cap flights and the number of travelers fails both passengers and airport workers, says Unifor.

“The GTAA is punishing the traveling public by limiting flights and services as a band-aid solution to airport congestion, instead of fixing the problem by implementing common sense solutions to improve job quality and hire needed workers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Unifor welcomes new members at Menzies Aviation Ltd. at Halifax airport

More than 30 workers at Menzies Aviation at Halifax Stanfield International Airport successfully joined Unifor on March 1.

“We welcome these new members to our union. The need for aviation workers to have representation is so important during this period of contract flipping and chaos at Canada’s airports,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Unifor will stand by them through whatever turbulence comes our way in the industry.”

Unifor air traffic specialists (FSS) begin bargaining with Nav Canada

The Air Traffic Specialists Association of Canada (ATSAC), who are members of Unifor Local 2245, opened bargaining with Nav Canada this week in Toronto.

“During the past three difficult years, the members of the Air Traffic Specialists Association of Canada, Local 2245, continued to demonstrate their dedication and commitment to the safety of the flying public across this country,” said ATSAC President Elizabeth O’Hurley.

Sunwing backs away from intention to hire temporary foreign pilots

TORONTO – Sunwing pilots are celebrating news the company has decided to abandon its intention to use the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) to boost staffing levels.

“Our main concern from the get-go was training and safety,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “As a union, we expect rigorous analysis before an employer is allowed to use the TFWP. We’re pleased that Sunwing chose to back away from using TFWP and honour our collective agreement.”

Unifor air traffic controllers begin bargaining with Nav Canada

OTTAWA – The Canadian Air Traffic Control Association (CATCA), who are members of Unifor Local 5454, opened bargaining with Nav Canada this week in Ottawa.

“Our CATCA members provide critical services needed for safe travel in our country. They are professionals who see collective bargaining as a way to improve that service to Canadians," said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Local 5454’s bargaining team are experienced and will be in our members’ corner every step of the way and ready to fight for a fair contract.”