March 10, 2022 at 2:08 PM
On February 4, Propair members participated in meetings and voted 87% in favour of a strike if necessary. However, for either party to be able to strike or lockout, an agreement on the maintenance of essential services had to be reached.
Mediation Essential Services
Last July, Propair filed a request to maintain certain essential services and Unifor objected. The Canada Industrial Relations Board, therefore, had to decide the matter. Hearings were scheduled for the first week of March 2022 but the parties agreed to attempt mediation in this case. On February 22 and 23, Propair and Unifor met as part of a mediation process and an agreement was finally reached on the maintenance of essential services in the event of a strike or lockout
Unifor is confident that this agreement is fair and equitable and will allow Unifor to maintain a balance of power in the event of a conflict.
The majority of the services will not be maintained.
Only a few crews will be considered essential services to carry out medical evacuations. It should be noted that the agreement provides that no ground services, including refuelling, de-icing, cargo and maintenance, will be considered essential. The parties have agreed as follows: All pilots (Captains and co-pilot) and nurses will be assigned to Medevac (Medical evacuation)
operations only:
- 4 captains
- 8 co-pilots
- 4 nurses
Next steps:
To date, the company could order a lockout and the union could strike as soon as the 72 hours notice has been given to the other party and the Minister of Labour. Your bargaining committee is meeting with the Employer this week from
March 9 to 11. We are still hoping for a negotiated settlement, but the negotiations are stalling.
We will continue to keep you informed of any further developments. Please ensure that you keep us updated with your contact information and confirm that you have subscribed to Unifor 2002’s e-news at
www.unifor2002.org/
In Solidarity
Your Propair Bargaining Committee
Quentin Verchere, Bargaining Representative
Joel Jegou, Bargaining Representative
Josée Genois, Assistant to the Local President
Ronald Nantel, Unifor National Representative