Toronto, ON – After weeks of tough bargaining following the rejection of a tentative agreement in late September, the IAM representing security screeners in Toronto, and Garda Canada Security, have agreed to take the four outstanding issues to binding arbitration.
“We only had two choices for our members,” explained Ron Fontaine, IAM Grand Lodge Representative and chief bargainer. “Following the rejection of the tentative agreement we could do nothing and let the Federal Labour Minister force an arbitrary decision similar to what happened with the post office. Or we could agree to as many items as possible during mediation and send the remaining outstanding issues to binding arbitration. We and the employer chose the latter.”
The outstanding issues include wages, increase in the number of sick days, increased pension contributions and limiting the number of part-time employees to 15 per cent of full –time staff. All other sections of the tentative agreement are in force as of November 1, 2012.
“Both the IAM and the employer feel this is the best way to break the impasse and eliminate any disruptions for the travelling public,” explained Fontaine. The Federal Labour Board will announce a date and time for the hearing once an arbitrator has been selected.
The IAM is the largest screeners union in Canada representing 1800 security screeners in Toronto at Pearson Airport and Billy Bishop Airport more than 1200 at eleven airports in British Columbia.
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For further information:
Ron Fontaine – IAM Grand Lodge Representative
604-273-5017/604-340-2083
Bill Trbovich – IAM Director of Communications
416-386-1601 Ext #6331/416-735-9765