Media Advisory - Layoffs and pay cuts prompt demonstrations at Pearson airport

TORONTO, April 7, 2015 /CNW/ - The Greater Toronto Airport Authority's (GTAA) campaign to convert good jobs to low-wage jobs will lead to demonstrations on Wednesday by the union representing customer sales and service agents. The GTAA's demand that service for passengers requiring wheelchair/special assistance be outsourced at Air Canada led to a halt in contract talks between the carrier and Unifor last week.

"We will not stand by while the GTAA leads a race to the bottom of the wage scale. We will defend good jobs at Pearson," said Jerry Dias, Unifor's National President.

Agenda:

6–9 a.m. – Morning leafleting at Pearson airport terminals 1 and 3

12:30 p.m. – Rally and speeches at the GTAA headquarters  (Unifor National President Jerry Dias, Unifor Local 2002 President Cheryl Robinson, Ontario Federation of Labour President Sid Ryan, Workers' Action Centre activist Deena Ladd, Toronto District Labour Council President John Cartwright, Brampton and Mississauga District Labour Council President Jim McDowell)

Location: GTAA headquarters, 3111 Convair Drive, Toronto

3–6 p.m. – Afternoon leafleting at terminals 1 and 3

The GTAA has been in the media spotlight lately after Unifor accused it of "contract flipping"—the legal but unethical practice of switching service providers every few years to minimize costs. Every time a new contract begins, employees must re-apply for their job and face uncertainty and usually a pay cut. The GTAA was the target of two demonstrations about low wages in March.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 305,000 workers. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions merged.

SOURCE Unifor

Unifor Local 2002 Communications Representative Darryl Bink at [phone] (cell) or [email protected]; Unifor Local 2002 Communications Representative Delia Gaskill at [phone] (cell) or [email protected]