Fredericton airport workers still on strike

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Strikers mark twelfth week milestone on May Day

Members of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE) Local 60601 who work at the Fredericton International Airport are inviting members of the public to join them for a Not-so-happy Anniversary Party tomorrow.

‘’Sadly, we are entering in new phase of this labour dispute.  This week marks the third year that this local has been without a contract.  Ironically, it falls in the same week as May Day, International Worker’s Day.’’ said Jeannie Baldwin, Regional Executive Vice-President.

Strikers will hold a tailgate party in front of the Fredericton Airport where they will host a BBQ with a sad clown to highlight the somber mood of the event.

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.

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.

Media are invited to attend.

When: Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Where: In front of the Fredericton Airport
Time: 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

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Strikers mark ten week milestone with rally

Members of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE) Local 60601 who work at the Fredericton International Airport  will be joined by members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada and their allies at a rally on Saturday as they come to the end of their tenth week on strike.

Ten weeks is too long. It’s time the employer lived up to its obligations to workers and to the citizens of Greater Fredericton and settles this strike,” says Jeannie Baldwin, Regional Executive Vice-President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

Regular rallies and actions have demonstrated widespread support for striking workers from labour and the broader community.

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.  

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.

Media are invited to attend a rally and barbeque.

When: Saturday, April 21, 2012

Where: In front of the Fredericton Airport

Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

UCTE Local 60101 is looking for support for their picket line at the Fredericton airport Friday morning, Feb. 24th from 7:00am-9:00 am.

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Email the Negotiating Team: Let them know you support them.

PSAC members at the Fredericton Airport have been on strike since 5 a.m. February 13th in some of the coldest weather the area has experienced this winter.  To help warm them, at least internally, it would be nice to let these members know that they are not alone.  Union Brothers and Sisters from across the country are aware of their fight and send their messages of support in solidarity.

Below you will find the e-mail addresses for the Fredericton Airport Local Executive who form the Negotiating Team.  Please let them know that messages of support can be sent to these striking workers at these addresses.

gilbertm@nb.sympatico.ca      Malcolm Gilbert – Local President

slabjacker2@hotmail.com      Randy Munn – Local Vice-President

downingf@nb.sympatico.ca     Faye Downing – Local Secretary-Treasurer

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Solidarité avec les membres de l’aéroport de Fredericton

Les membres de l’AFPC qui travaillent à l’aéroport de Fredericton sont en grève depuis 5 h le 13 février 2012. Ces grévistes doivent parfois affronter le pire froid sibérien que la région a connu depuis le début de l’hiver. Il serait bon de les réconforter en leur rappelant qu’ils ne sont pas seuls. Les consœurs et confrères du syndicat d’un bout à l’autre du pays sont conscients de leur lutte et leur envoient un message de solidarité.

Vous trouverez ci-après les adresses courriel des membres du Comité de direction de la section locale de l’aéroport qui forment l’équipe de négociation. Veuillez transmettre des messages d’encouragement aux grévistes :

gilbertm@nb.sympatico.ca    Malcolm Gilbert – président de la section locale

slabjacker2@hotmail.com     Randy Munn – vice-président de la section locale

downingf@nb.sympatico.ca   Faye Downing – secrétaire-trésorière de la section locale

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Fredericton airport workers on strike

Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada’s Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE) Local 60601 who work at the Fredericton International Airport set up picket lines at the airport 5am Monday morning.

“We are disappointed that at such a critical time, the employer, contrary to public statements, did not come to mediation prepared to negotiate,” says UCTE Regional Vice-President Wayne Fagan.

The employer did not return to the hotel this weekend for scheduled mediation. The mediator left Frederictonyesterday evening.

On Saturday, Airport workers held an information picket at the Hilltop Grill & Beverage Co. whose owner is a member of the Airport Authority’s board of directors.

Talks were scheduled to take place this weekend at a downtown hotel with the assistance of federal mediator Carol Wall.  However, no face to face between the PSAC and the Airport Authority was conducted.

Contrary to Airport Authority claims, the union advises the traveling public that this strike could disrupt airport operations and access to the airport.  The public and all union members are asked to not cross the picket line.  Anyone planning to travel is encouraged to use Saint John and Moncton Airports during the strike.

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

The 24 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.