Manitoba airport alert: Strike still imminent

Originally, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) union had given a strike deadline of 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, July 22. However, given the ongoing progress in mediation, it has been extended.

A strike still could occur at the Winnipeg Airport in Manitoba as early as Monday, if the union is unable to reach a tentative agreement with the employer. The Public Service Alliance of Canada served the required 72-hour notice late last night.

Negotiations with the assistance of a federally-appointed mediator began on Monday, July 17, and will continue through the weekend. Should the mediation talks break down, PSAC has advised the Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA) that the strike will commence at 3:00 a.m. on Monday, July 24, 2017.

“Our team remains committed to working night and day until Monday morning to negotiate a fair tentative agreement for our members employed by the WAA,” said Marianne Hladun, Regional Executive Vice-President, PSAC Prairies. “We’re still hopeful we can reach a deal and avoid the need for strike action.”

Approximately 150 employees—including duty managers, administrative workers, various tradespersons, IT workers, airfield maintenance, and laborers—are represented by PSAC and the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE). The workers have been without a contract since June 30, 2016 and in negotiations since October 2016.

“Union members across the country stand behind our airport members and recognize the necessity of fighting against contracting out and other concessions that hurt workers,” said Teresa Eschuk, Regional Vice-President, UCTE Prairies and North.

PSAC represents more than 170,000 workers across Canada, including nearly 8,000 in Manitoba and 150 employees at the Winnipeg Airports Authority. UCTE is a component of PSAC, which represents workers in both the public sector—Transport Canada, Canadian Coast Guard, Parks Canada—and private sector—Airports and NAV Canada.