deicer Posted July 25, 2017 Share Posted July 25, 2017 https://www.insauga.com/untrained-temps-wreaking-safety-havoc-at-pearson-airport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deicer Posted July 25, 2017 Author Share Posted July 25, 2017 Now have filed for possible strike on Thursday... https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/torontos-pearson-airport-could-be-hit-by-baggage-handlers-strike-thursday/article35793989/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaEH Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 Swissport lost the WestJet contract in YVR, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaEH Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 Quote “The untrained temporary workers have already been involved in accidents and injuries,” explained Harjinder Badial, vice president at Local Union 419. “This is more serious than lost luggage.” The workers have left a ladder leaning against a parked plane, damaging the aircraft, and in another incident, baggage destined for a plane was left unattended inside the terminal as the aircraft departed. Wow, those are some serious "accidents and injuries". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 27, 2017 Share Posted July 27, 2017 An update: Pearson ground crew votes on contract offer, could go on strike The Canadian PressPublished Thursday, July 27, 2017 12:28PM EDT TORONTO - About 700 ground crew at Canada's busiest airport could be setting up picket lines later today. The members of Teamsters Local 419, who include baggage handlers, cargo handlers, cabin cleaners and other ground staff at Toronto's Pearson International Airport, are voting on a contract offer from their employer, Swissport. If the workers reject Swissport's offer -- as recommended by their union -- they could walk off the job as early as tonight. An Air Canada flight makes its final approach as it lands at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Sept. 30, 2004. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Union spokesman Christopher Monette says picket lines would be set up at Pearson's Terminal 3 and a cargo terminal near Swissport's administrative offices. The workers who could go on strike also include some who tow planes for the 30 airlines Swissport services at Pearson. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority says it has a contingency plan in place in the event of a strike or labour disruption by the Swissport workers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moeman Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 Quote At least 700 ground crew workers at Toronto Pearson International Airport have voted to go on strike Thursday night. Unionized workers including baggage and cargo handlers and cabin cleaners walked off the job after the offer from Swissport was rejected. http://globalnews.ca/video/3630989/ground-crew-workers-go-on-strike-at-toronto-pearson-airport/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 Pearson Baggage Handlers and Ground Crew on Strike TORONTO, July 27th 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Over 700 workers employed by Swissport at Pearson Airport walked off the job tonight at 9:30 pm. The workers handle baggage and cargo, tow planes, clean cabins, and perform flight operations tasks for over 30 airlines. The company's uncompromising attitude and disrespect for workers are directly responsible for this labour dispute. "We tried our best to reach an acceptable agreement with the company. Swissport just wasn't interested," explained Harjinder Badial, vice-president of Teamsters Local Union 419, which represents Swissport staff. Badial regrets that passengers will likely have to deal with lost luggage, significant delays and flight cancellations at Pearson. "We spent weeks trying to avoid getting to this point. Sadly, the company is insisting on forcing a bad deal on workers." Swissport is attempting to impose a 3-year wage freeze on the majority of their workers. The company also wants staff to work a minimum of 30 hours a week to qualify for full benefits. However, workers' drug, health, and dental coverage should not depend on volatile weekly schedules. Finally, the employer is asking for more "flexibility". They want the right to change schedules with 96 hours advance notice. That means workers would no longer have stable, predictable schedules. People should be able to plan their lives more than four days in advance. Swissport Scabs Swissport recently brought in hundreds of untrained, inexperienced temporary agency workers. The company told journalists that they were there to help handle the summer travel rush. But Swissport VP of Operations, Pierre Payette, told the union's bargaining team a different story over the weekend. He said that "the temps would be gone" as soon as a new collective agreement was ratified by members. At that point, it became clear that the agency workers were actually strikebreakers. Their purpose is not to handle a summer travel rush, but to attempt to continue operations in the event of a strike. "We're shocked at how Swissport is willing to sacrifice airport safety and jeopardize travel plans to gain an upper hand at the barraging table," said Badial. "We have no idea how Pearson will be able to operate safely and normally with this crew." To safely work in sensitive areas of the airport, baggage handlers normally require 3 to 4 weeks of training. The temp workers only received 3 to 4 days of training. This has already led to several accidents, injuries, and cases of lost luggage. In one case, they even damaged a plane. Moreover, it is unclear how hundreds of agency workers were able to pass airport staff background checks so quickly. These normally take 3 to 6 months. Swissport butted heads with the union over safety in the past. Over the past few months, the company threatened to discipline workers who refused to work due to health and safety concerns. When the chief steward complained, the company threatened to remove his Restricted Area Identity Card (RAIC), which is tantamount to firing. The last collective agreement expired on July 23, 2017 Teamsters represent 125,000 members in Canada in all industries. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, with which Teamsters Canada is affiliated, has 1.4 million members in North America. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEFCON Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 "The Greater Toronto Airports Authority says it has a contingency plan in place in the event of a strike or labour disruption by the Swissport workers." Damn those pesky minimum wage employees that clean toilets for wanting to make a living wage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blues deville Posted July 31, 2017 Share Posted July 31, 2017 Picketing today at YYZ T3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 31, 2017 Share Posted July 31, 2017 And are the lines being honoured or ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonymous Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 What do you mean "being honoured"? under the CLC Canada labour code , one has to report for work, crossing a picket line is not a reason to not go to work... no no such thing as honouring a picket Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 48 minutes ago, anonymous said: What do you mean "being honoured"? under the CLC Canada labour code , one has to report for work, crossing a picket line is not a reason to not go to work... no no such thing as honouring a picket How things have changed..... Back in the day...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blues deville Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 Picketing Swissport employees are blocking the gates at YYZ Viscount Rd. airport parking. One group placed a highway cone in front of a gate and wouldn't allow its use. There was reflective vest wearing GTAA worker waving others through and the protesters didn't hold me up. Not quite sure how effective it to slow down others but I suppose they're on guards for replacement workers . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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