Fredericton airport workers set strike clock ticking

FREDERICTON, NB – Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada’s Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE) Local 60601 have given the Fredericton International Airport Authority notice that unless a tentative agreement is reached by Sunday, February 12, 2012, they will commence strike action at 5am, Monday, February 13, 2012.

“In late December, these workers gave their negotiating team a strong 87% strike mandate. If a deal is not struck this weekend, they are prepared to exercise it,” says UCTE Regional Vice-President Wayne Fagan.

The Federal Minister of Labour the Honourable Lisa Raitt appointed federal mediator Carol Wall to assist in the dispute. Talks are scheduled to take place this weekend at a downtown hotel.

“Our PSAC negotiating team is prepared to engage in meaningful and constructive negotiations,” says Fagan. “We are cautiously optimistic that the parties will reach an agreement before the Monday deadline.”

PSAC has given the Fredericton Airport the 72 hours notice required under federal law before it can legally undertake strike action on Monday.

Still outstanding are numerous issues related to compensation and classification. The employer has also yet to withdraw clawbacks the union finds unacceptable.

The 25 airport workers have been without a collective agreement since May 2009.

Local 60601 members provide operational services, including runway clearing, buildings and equipment upkeep, fire, security and emergency services, as well as administrative and billing services. The traveling public should be aware that a strike could disrupt airport operations.

These employees are proud members of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees, a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, a national union with over 180,000 members.

Contact Lesley Thompson, Communications Officer, PSAC, 902-471-6201