Industrial Relations Board dismisses airport application for binding arbitration

Fredericton – The Canada Industrial Relations Board notified the Public Service Alliance of Canada yesterday that it has dismissed the Fredericton International Airport Authority’s application for binding arbitration. PSAC is the bargaining agent that represents 25 striking workers at the Fredericton International Airport. The Board advised in its ruling that the reasons for its decision will follow shortly.

“As we have indicated to the federal mediator throughout this labour dispute, the PSAC negotiating team, is prepared to return to the bargaining table and negotiate both a fair collective agreement and a Return to Work Protocol,” says Jeannie Baldwin, Regional Executive Vice-President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada.  “I would encourage the employer, having received this decision of the Board, to amend their mandate and contact the federal mediator indicating its willingness to negotiate an end to this dispute.”

PSAC opposed the employer’s application claiming that binding arbitration by way of final offer selection was not a path to a fair and equitable agreement. The union is eager to reach a settlement that includes a negotiated Return to Work Protocol.

This week marks the fourteenth week of a strike that has garnered broad support from community, labour and various levels of government. The local has been without a collective agreement for three years.

The 25 striking workers at Fredericton Airport are proud members of UCTE, a Component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, a national union with over 180,000 members.  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.