Air

CALGARY—Unifor is calling on WestJet to stop the outsourcing of hundreds of Calgary call centre jobs to El Salvador.

“In this uncertain economic climate caused by a trade war launched by the United States, we expect Canadian companies like WestJet to support Canadian workers and we need corporate Canada to step up,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

Unifor Local 2002 members at Porter Airlines in Halifax, N.S. have ratified their first collective agreement by 94%.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee on their amazing work in negotiating our Porter Halifax members’ first collective agreement,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

“This sets the stage for better working conditions for our aviation members.”

The three-year agreement is effective until Oct. 22, 2028, and delivers significant improvements in wages, benefits and workplace protections.

Unifor Local 2002 members at Alliance Ground International (AGI) in Toronto have overwhelmingly ratified their new three-year agreement by 84%.

“Congratulations to our aviation members at AGI on securing this deal,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

“A collective agreement that builds on a living wage and job security helps relieve the pressure many workers feel in this sector.”

The bargaining committee negotiated robust improvements that strengthen job security and overall compensation for frontline workers.

TORONTO— Unifor strongly condemns the federal government’s imposition of binding arbitration between Air Canada and CUPE Flight Attendants, cutting short a legal strike action just hours after it began.  

WestJet members of Unifor Local 531 now have their own dedicated office space at Calgary International Airport.

The local proudly opened its first space for WestJet members on May 27, a significant step for them to be present more often in the airport where 910 of their members work.

More than 250 members joined the celebration, including Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer Len Poirier and Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle.

Canada’s air transportation workers were stunned by U.S. President Donald Trump’s unprovoked and illegal trade war and his inflammatory comments threatening Canada’s sovereignty. 

From the potential for a recession to the reorganization of travel away from the U.S., the actions of this U.S. administration have the potential to seriously impact our industry and the global economy. 

Unifor is proud to welcome 245 part-time workers at the Nuance Group (Canada) Inc. at Pearson International Airport in Toronto.

“We are thrilled to have Nuance members join Unifor,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We look forward to bargaining your first contract and improving working conditions for airport workers, including pushing back against contract flipping, and making sure you’re treated with the respect you deserve.”

Unifor sends our solidarity to the crew and passengers of Delta Flight 4819. We are proud of Unifor members' swift response to the incident yesterday at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Unifor Local 2002, District 333 members were onsite almost immediately, providing bus transportation to the terminal and working behind the scenes to assist the Delta passengers once they reached safety at the terminal. Unifor Local 2002 Ornge paramedic members provided medical care to passengers and provided air transport to regional hospitals to those most seriously injured.

GANDER, NFLD.—Pilots at the Gander, Nfld.-based Exploits Valley Air Services (EVAS) served a 72-hour strike notice to their employer last night, Oct. 18.

The unit will go on strike on Oct. 22 at 12:01 a.m. if a settlement isn’t reached.

The 18 members, who work as captains and first officers, are represented by Unifor Local 2002.

The members are seeking improvements on wages, working conditions, work-life balance and contracting language.

EVAS is a small airline that transports cargo and helps with evacuations (medevac).