Unifor calls on airport authority to stand up for job security

TORONTO, March 20, 2015 /CNW/ - The Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) must take responsibility for the job security of 260 service personnel who will be laid off after a decision to change contractors, says Canada's largest union in the private sector.

"The hard-working people who service our seniors and passengers with special needs deserve job security," says Jerry Dias, Unifor's National President. "Workers are not disposable. They deserve respect and a fair contract."

This month the GTAA opened a tendering process for the contract to assist passengers with special needs. The contract was awarded to Toronto Ground Airport Services (TGAS), which has made no employment commitment to the 260 employees working for the contract's previous provider, Servisair.

Unifor members gave leaflets describing the problems to passengers on the departures level of Pearson International Airport's Terminal 3 this morning.

"The GTAA should require experienced staff to be given priority when new contracts are signed," said Dias. "It's the right thing to do."

Unifor is accusing the GTAA of "contract flipping"—the legal but unethical practice of switching service providers every few years to suppress costs. When a new contract begins, employees must re-apply for their job and start at the bottom of the wage scale.

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

Image with caption: "Unifor handed out leaflets at the airport to raise awareness about the treatment of their members who assist passengers with special needs. (CNW Group/Unifor)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150320_C8954_PHOTO_EN_13424.jpg

please contact Unifor Communications Representative Ian Boyko at 778-903-6549 (cell) or [email protected]