CAW issues strike notice at Air Canada for Monday night
By Nelson Daily Editor
Another strike could rain down its effect on the West Kootenay.
With Canada Post workers and the province’s teachers set to strike in the region, the union representing 3,800 Air Canada workers has issued its 72-hour strike notice to Air Canada, setting the stage for a possible work stoppage commencing Monday night at 11:59 p.m., should the two sides not come to an agreement.
It is not certain if and how the CAW strike will affect the regional Air Canada service at the Castlegar Airport.
Air Canada said in a news release it will try to minimize the affect of any job action on passengers by implementing a “contingency service plan at airports and call centres.”
After 10 weeks of negotiations, there are still a number of important issues halting progress at the bargaining table, such as demands for dramatic cuts to the pension plan that could result in pensions being reduced by 40 per cent for existing members, a plan which members pay into.
The company is also demanding a lesser, secondary pension plan for new hires, according to the 3,800-member CAW.
Air Canada is also demanding a number of other economic concessions, including a reduction in benefits for current members and retirees, as well as an increase to their part-time workforce, which already occupies approximately 35 per cent of jobs.
“We are determined to reach a fair and equitable collective agreement that will reflect the contributions our members have made to bring Air Canada back to prosperity — our members haven’t forgotten how much they gave up to make that happen and they expect to be treated fairly,” said CAW Local 2002 president Jamie Ross in a statement.
The CAW has prepared an information leaflet for passengers in the case of a strike. To read the leaflet, please visit: http://www.caw.ca/en/10360.htm
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