Tuesday April 17, 2018
For Immediate Release
Toronto, ON – Normally a contract flip at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport means job loss for workers and membership loss for the union that represents them. But the loss of a portion of the work performed by TGAS to the new service provider AAS Canada Inc. has produced new IAM members and a new collective agreement.
“We told the new employer that the IAM wanted to make sure the new company would grow,” explained IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 Organizer Sam Jabbar. “I told them if they grow so do we and everybody will win. Not only did the IAM receive voluntary recognition certification but 150 of our former members at TGAS transferred over with full benefits and their seniority intact. AAS has also hired 100 additional workers and these members will receive full benefits and paid lunch while on probation. This employer gets it and we’re starting a working relationship on the right note.”
The 250 members drive the golf carts transporting wheelchair passengers to and from various gates at Pearson Terminals one and three. They also collect wheelchairs at the various gates and refurbish them when necessary.
The three-year collective agreement retains the minimum wage of $14.00 per hour they earned while at TGAS in the first year, rising to $15.00 per hour in the second year when the minimum wage is increased in 2019 and a further wage increase of 2 per cent in the third year plus bonuses. “What makes this contract so unique is they retain all of their benefits plus they receive 2 paid sick days, something unheard of with third party providers at Pearson,” said Transportation District Lodge 140 General Chairperson Talwinder Rayat.
The IAM is the largest union at Pearson Airport representing over 10,000 workers.
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For further information:
Sam Jabbar – IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 Organizer
905-671-3192/416-875-8140
Talwinder Rayat – IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 General Chairperson
905-671-3192/416-827-8140
Bill Trbovich – IAM Director of Communications
416-386-1789 Ext #31/416-735-9765
