Joining the ranks of the numerous labour disputes in Canada's travel industry, strike action by screening officers at Toronto Pearson is yet another threat to summer travel plans.
Similar to other labour disputes affecting Canadian travellers, Garda World Security Corp. employees, a private company contracted by CATSA, are seeking better working conditions and higher wages.
The Star reports, "A staggering 99% of the 2,240 Canadian Airport Works Union members who cast their ballots last week, out of a total of more than 2,800, have voted to set a strike deadline, a crucial step in their pursuit of a 'fair and equitable collective agreement.'
The negotiations began in May and are expected to continue until the end of June.
On 11JUN, a tentative deal was reached with Canadian border and customs workers. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) reached a tentative agreement, avoiding potential job action at Canada's borders.
Over 9,000 federal border service workers were considering strikes due to concerns over wages.
The pandemic has contributed to labor shortages and employee frustration, but wages are clearly the core issue driving these disputes.
According to the Toronto Star, "When asked what the impact of a strike would be on travel at Pearson CATSA said it 'has confidence in Garda and the union to negotiate fairly and amicably towards the successful conclusion of a collective agreement, and avoid any inconvenience or impacts to the travelling public.'
Open Jaw is closely following the story.
