The union representing 700 Swissport workers at Toronto Pearson International Airport says its members are officially on strike.
The workers, which include baggage and cargo handlers, cabin cleaners and other ground staff, walked off the job before 10 p.m. Thursday.
“I can tell you our members voted in favour of a strike by 95 per cent. They have been disrespected for too long,” Harjinder Badial, vice-president of Teamsters Local 419, told reporters Thursday night after the vote as workers picketed in front of the departures entrance to Terminal 3.
“This is about respect and we are sending a message to Swissport tonight, and I hope they are listening.”
LISTEN: Harijinder Badial joins the Morning Show on AM640
Badial said many of the collective agreement sticking points revolve around hours of work language, scheduling and benefits-related issues.
READ MORE: Toronto Pearson International Airport could be hit by baggage handlers’ strike on Thursday
Pierre Payette, Swissport Canada’s vice president of operations, said the company has bargained in good faith throughout contract talks. It also put out a memo to employees Tuesday, asking them to vote in favour of the company’s final offer.
“We remain hopeful that there will be a positive outcome when employees vote today as our offer is fair to all parties,” Payette said in a statement issued earlier Thursday.
The union, however, has described Swissport’s contract as unfair to its workers. It has also taken issue with the company’s decision to hire 250 temporary workers last May.
The union filed a complaint with the Canadian Industrial Relations Board over that matter, alleging the temporary workers are poorly trained and have been involved in multiple accidents over the past few months. Swissport said it “categorically denies” those allegations.
WATCH: Teamsters VP speaks out on Swissport ground workers strike at Toronto Pearson International Airport
Badial said the union wants to get back to the bargaining table.
“We’re certainly open to meeting with the company, sitting down and negotiating a collective agreement,” he said.
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority said earlier this week it was ready for a labour disruption.
Swissport workers are contracted to service over two dozen airlines using the airport. Some of the airlines serviced by Swissport also said they were prepared if workers walked off the job.
“We want to reassure the travelling public and our customers that we have the properly trained resources in place to keep people moving,” Pierre Payette, Vice President of Operations for Swissport in Toronto, said in a statement.
“We are working with airline partners and the GTAA to minimize any disruptions to travellers. So far, it is business as usual and we will be keeping a close watch to ensure that it remains this way.”
READ MORE: Union representing Pearson baggage crews concerned with safety after hiring of temp workers
Air Transat said it was taking measures to ensure none of its flights would be delayed if a strike occurs. British Airways said it had a contingency plan and would continue to operate all its flights.
WestJet, which does not work with Swissport, said it was aware of the situation and advised passengers to arrive early for their flights to avoid delays.
Airport officials said service updates will be provided on their website.
The airport said the following airlines have contracts with Swissport:
- Air Transat
- Sunwing
- Cathay Pacific
- KLM
- Lufthansa
- Lot Polish Airlines
- Air France
- British Airways
- Fly Jamaica
- Etihad Airways
- Philippine Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- Egyptair
- Jet Airways
- Cubana
- Pakistan International
- China Eastern
- EVA AIR
- SAUDIA
- Hainan Airlines
- Azores Airlines
- Aer Lingus
- TAP Portugal
- Brussels Airlines
- Alitalia
- Austrian
- EL AL
- WOW Air
- Avianca
With files from The Canadian Press and Cindy Pom
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