Share
April 23, 2018
TORONTO—Unifor joins several stakeholders, including most Canadian airport authorities, in celebrating news that the federal government’s controversial study of airport privatization has been shelved.
“Privatization is a scam that threatens the security and service at Canadian airports,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Airports are too important to be left to privatization experiments with the private sector.”
It has been reported that federal transportation minister Marc Garneau has told airport CEOs that the federal government’s study on airport privatization is no longer active.
Opposition to the idea has united trade unions, airport authorities, Air Canada, and several municipalities. Instead of privatization, Unifor has offered several recommendations for ending extreme employment insecurity at airports. Studies have shown that safety and security can be improved at airports by elevating pay and working conditions of airport workers.
Privatization is a major concern because historically it has led to higher costs for the public, lower-paying jobs, and reduced public oversight. Unifor says privatizing airports only brings risk and uncertainty to services that are indispensable.
“We’re happy that the federal government has listened to workers and airport stakeholders,” said Renaud Gagné, Unifor Quebec Director. “Instead of fighting risky ownership schemes, we can resume our focus on fair wages, job security, and other strategies to maintain the highest level of service and security.”
For more information, please contact Unifor Communications Representative Ian Boyko at ian.boyko@unifor.org or 778-903-6549 (cell).
