Porter says possible labour disruption Thursday will not affect flights
Posted Jan 9, 2013 11:21:30 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO – Last-ditch negotiations between the union representing employees who fuel aircraft for Porter Airlines and the regional carrier were continuing Wednesday with the help of a federal mediator, in hopes of averting a labour disruption.
However, the airline said if the workers do go on strike or are locked out Thursday it will use other trained employees to fill in and maintain business as usual at Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto.
“There will be zero impact on the business. All fights will operate,” Porter spokesman Brad Cicero said.
“We have a full team of staff available… all fully trained and ready to go.”
Porter Aviation Holdings Inc. said the 22 workers who work at the airline’s base in Toronto have been without a contract since it unionized with the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union last August.
The deadline for both sides to reach a deal is 12:01 a.m. Thursday.
The union said the largest issues are wages, health benefits and safety concerns.
Last year, Porter Airlines says it carried 2.45 million passengers, a 15 per cent increase over its 2011 levels.
The airline flies to about a dozen cities in eastern Canada and several U.S. destinations.
