Unifor aviation workers hold rally for better working conditions
by CM Staff
Air transportation workers are calling on the federal government, airport authorities, and airlines to deal with the root causes of travel chaos by improving wages and working conditions in the sector.
The underside of an airplane (CNW Group/Unifor)
TORONTO — Unifor aviation members are gathering on Dec. 18 at Pearson International Airport during the busy holiday travel season to bring awareness to the reportedly poor working conditions in the sector that lead to delays, cancellations, lost baggage, and packed airports.
“We all know that travel chaos is common, even without the holiday rush,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President.
“From the terminal to the tarmac, Canadians need a plan that improves working conditions in the air transportation industry and ends contract flipping, so the public’s travel experience can be a smooth journey. Our members’ working conditions are the public’s travel conditions.”
Air transportation workers are calling on the federal government, airport authorities, and airlines to deal with the root causes of travel chaos by improving wages and working conditions in the sector – everything ranging from unpredictable hours to customer frustration and contract flipping need to be addressed.
On Unifor’s Day of Action at Pearson Airport, the union is clearing the runway for its Air Transportation Workers’ Charter of Rights, which highlights nine rights the Canadian government must meet to ensure the industry can fulfill their Air Passenger Protection Regulations — dubbed the “air passenger bill of rights” — and deliver a chaos-free travel experience.
The union’s Charter demands the government, airport authorities and airlines do more to ensure workers in the aviation industry have fair pay and fair scheduling, protection from contracting out and access to safe and effective reporting mechanisms when problems arise.
“The fact is: airports and airlines cannot even meet the federal government’s passenger bill of rights without improving job quality and increasing the industry’s workforce. This means passengers will have to rely on fines and refunds instead of a travel experience we all deserve,” said Unifor National Aviation Director Sandi McManus.
“Fines and refunds are not a consolation prize for cancelled vacations, delayed visits with family and friends or missed business meetings.”
