Porter Airlines CSR Members: Unifor files for Conciliation

February 2, 2023 at 1:39 PM

The bargaining committee and the Company met last week for two days, January 26 to 27, 2023 to resolve some key issues with the hopes of reaching a fair and equitable agreement.  While we reached some common ground by the end of day two, January 27, there are still important issues that remain unresolved at the negotiation table.

The bargaining committee had no choice but to declare an impasse and apply for conciliation. Unifor has advised the Company of its intent to file a Notice of Dispute with the Minister of Labour.

WHAT IS CONCILIATION?
 
The conciliator is there to help both our bargaining team and the Company reach a deal but has no authority in the decision-making process.  Once the minister appoints a conciliator and provides dates of the conciliation process, we will advise the membership.

Priorities for the bargaining committee are to continue to focus on securing fair wages and negotiate improvements to job security. We will continue to push back against any concessions from the Company, and work hard to bring members a strong and equitable agreement.

1. Unifor files a Notice of Dispute to the Federal Minister of Labour
2. Minister will appoint a Federal Conciliation Officer within 15 days
3. The Conciliator will meet with the Union and Employer over 60 days to facilitate negotiations
4. The parties may agree to extend the conciliation period if negotiations are progressing
5. The conciliator files a report to the Federal Minister of Labour once the conciliation period is complete
6. The parties enter a 21-day “cooling off” and mediation period
7. At the end of the 21 days if no agreement has been reached the Mediator will file an additional report with the Minister of Labour
8. While in the conciliation and the “cooling off” mediation period, the Company may not lock out employees and the Union may not take strike action. Strike action is only ever taken as a very last resort and only after conditions (such as a strike vote and 72 hours advance notice) are met.

 
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In solidarity,
Your Porter Airlines CSR Bargaining Committee
David Robinson, District Chairperson
Frans Yeung, Bargaining Committee Representative
April Smith, Bargaining Committee Representative
Charlotte Pape, Local 2002 Vice President - Central Region
Denise Cochrane, Assistant the Unifor Local 2002 President
Pearl Almeida, Unifor National Representative