Legal action puts Air Canada ground crew, mechanics, pilot strikes on hold
2012 04 09
- Details
AIR CANADA's pending strikes have been put on hold following the passage of anti-strike law forcing its machinists, of ground crew and mechanics and pilots unions to accept binding arbitration and abandon strike action.
The airline is also facing legal action from the Quebec provincial government over the closure of its aircraft maintenance company, Montreal-based Aveos Fleet Performance, which laid off 2,600 workers.
Despite legal action over two labour disputes referred to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) by Canadian Labour Minister Lisa Raitt, wildcat strikes by ground crew has disrupted flights out of Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City on March 23. The walkout was allegedly prompted by the suspension of three workers at Toronto's Pearson International Airport for allegedly slow-clapping Ms Raitt at the airport.
The airline also asked the CIRB to end the "illegal strike" of its pilots when a higher-than-normal number sick calls were made on March 17. The pilots union who claim foggy weather resulted in flight cancellations denied this.
Once an arbitrator from a possible five has been chosen a final offer of the unions or the airline in its entirety within 90 days.
The Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), which represents 8,600 ground crew and mechanics at the airline, says it will challenge the back-to-work law as unconstitutional as it removes collective bargaining rights, said IAMAW vice president Dave Ritchie.
CIRB executive director has all three disputes in a "holding pattern" due to the legal challenges of the recent adoption of the back-to-work legislation which has "impacted on the urgency of dealing with the question of essential service."
Source Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
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