The union representing striking workers at Winnipeg Airport Authority (WAA) is concerned that the travelling public could risk further issues because a work stoppage at the airport is being artificially prolonged.
To: All Winnipeg Local Presidents, NVP’s, RVP’s, Prairie Region Council
Re: Regional Hardship Committee
Please consider this as the official input call for members to sit on the above noted committee. This Committee will be comprised of three representatives. If you or a member of your Local are interested in being a part of this Committee please send your name, Local and contact number to my office by July 31, 2017.
The members of PSAC/UCTE Local 50600 hit the picket line this morning at the Winnipeg Airport. After seven days of intense mediation, Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA) walked away from the table about 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 23. We remained available to the mediator until 3:00 a.m. and when no further communication was made by the employer, our members hit the picket line at 3:00 a.m. sharp. The main priority issue is the WAA’s use of contractors that are doing the work of bargaining unit members. We have filed grievances that are in the system and we have identified several cases where our members can do it more cost effectively. This has been all for naught and WAA refused to ensure the job security of our members.
A strike began at the Winnipeg Airport Monday morning (July 24, 2017) at 3:00am. After seven days of negotiations with the assistance of a federally-appointed mediator aimed at resolving all outstanding issues in bargaining between the Winnipeg Airport and its General Bargaining Unit employees, members of UCTE Local 50600 of the PSAC, the employer left the talks at 6:00pm Sunday after tabling an offer which failed to address almost all of those issues.