June 16, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Earlier this month, Unifor Local 2002 members at Quebec’s Propair voted down the employer’s last and final contract offer by more than 80 percent, citing concerns over retro-pay, scheduling rotation, per-diem and fair compensation.
The recent membership vote gave the union a mandate to escalate the negotiations process in hopes of reaching a more fair and reasonable work contract. This resulted in Unifor filing with the Federal mediation and conciliation service (FMCS); a federal body created to provide dispute resolution with the assistance of a third-party conciliation and mediation officer.
"Our hard-working members at Propair are simply looking for a fair contract that provides improvements to working conditions and monetary compensation," said Unifor Local 2002 President Tammy Moore.
"This employer prides itself as an innovator in the air charter and cargo business. It is also the first emergency air medical service company in Quebec, but now fails to recognize the value if its own employees that keeps its operations profitable."
Negotiations to reach a new collective bargaining agreement officially began on October 1, 2025. However, despite continued efforts, it is clear that Propair is not interested in concluding this process and the Union has had no choice but to seek mediation from a third party.
WHAT IS CONCILIATION?
When negotiations cannot proceed any further, Conciliation is a necessary step to bring accountability to the bargaining process. It allows for the appointment of a neutral conciliator to help bridge the gap between the union (Unifor and its Local 2002) and the employer (Propair Inc). This decision was not taken lightly, but we believe it was necessary to protect members’ rights and interests at the bargaining table.
Outline of the Conciliation process
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Unifor files a Notice of Dispute to the Federal Minister of Labour
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Minister will appoint a Federal Conciliation Officer within 15 days.
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The Conciliator will meet with the Union and Employer over a 60-day period to facilitate negotiations.
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The parties may agree to extend the conciliation period if negotiations are progressing.
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The conciliator files a report to the Federal Minister of Labour once the conciliation period is complete.
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The parties enter a 21-day "cooling off" and mediation period.
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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.
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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.
NEXT STEPS
Your Unifor team can assure you that our commitment to securing a fair and equitable agreement remains our top priority. Your Unifor Bargaining Committee is dedicated to advocating for your rights and interests during this negotiation process.
As we move forward with the conciliation process, we will keep you informed about any further developments. Your support and solidarity are vital during this time, and we appreciate your understanding as we work diligently to achieve the best possible outcome for everyone.
In Solidarity,
Your Unifor Bargaining Committee
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26-06-16 Propair - Unifor files for conciliation EN.txt