Blue Pass Update for all former Handlex Members

Blue Pass Update for all former Handlex Members

July 23, 2021 at 3:00 PM

  

Both Unifor and Teamsters - the unions that have been handling the ongoing Blue Pass Arbitration on behalf of their respective employee groups - have been pushing diligently to get Swissport (the employer) to release the award money for distribution to their respective members.

Earlier this year, the Unions advised Swissport that they need to respond promptly, otherwise the Unions’ lawyers would be asking the Arbitrator Claude Martin for a hearing on this matter.

We recently learned that Swissport has changed their position on the process to which the award money is to be distributed. This is very unfortunate that the employer is not willing to carry out the distribution of funds that had been previously agreed to.

We understand your frustration, as we have heard from many of you over the past few months. We brought this matter, again, before the Arbitrator Claude Martin on July 15th, and we are waiting on yet another decision that should be received by early August.

The employer now argues that they must make source deductions on the amounts, meaning they have to make all of the statutory deductions (taxes, EI, CPP deductions, etc.) on what is owed to you. Swissport wants to send out individual cheques to the members and make these deductions on the individual amounts. This could lead to further issues and complications for the members included in this award.

In the meantime, Unifor has sought out the assistance of a fiscal lawyer to better understand the tax implications.

We will continue to keep you posted as information is made available to us.

  
In Solidarity,

Theresa Amicarelli
Josée Genois
Assistants to the Local 2002 President

  

  

/21-07-23 Swissport-Handlex Blue Pass update EN.txt