A union representing a pilot of the low-cost carrier Sunwing knew the sale of the airline to the Canadian Labor Relations Commission, so the company dishonestly negotiated recent labor transactions. And filed an official complaint. Westjet was on the table.
The Unifor Union has signed contracts with airlines on behalf of 451 pilots, resulting in modest wage increases and other benefits improvements. When the agreement was ratified in February, it was welcomed as an agreement that would bring some stability to all sides, although it was up and down for years for the aviation industry.
But that optimism came when the airline announced a few weeks later that it had agreed to aacquisition by Calgary-based Westjet
. Has begun to decline. If airline management claimed to know that the takeover offer was in progress and shared it with the union during negotiations, they would not have made the concessions they made.
Thus, the union has filed an official complaint with the Canadian Labor Relations Commission alleging that the company was maliciously negotiating by not disclosing the upcoming sale.
"Getting an employer's guarantee that we weren't discussing a sale to WestJet was of paramount importance to the union. The possibility of a sale is important to the union's position. It will bring about good results. Negotiations. "
CBC News contacted Sunwing and Westjet for comment. Those requests were not returned.
Unifor initially welcomed the merger of, but since then the company has {80 due to breach of contract as an air travel. } It is said that it is seeking further savings. It will rise again from the pandemic downturn.
"What we want to do is if the airline came to us and was honest that these discussions were taking place, we would discuss and negotiate in another way. It's about revisiting the areas of collective bargaining agreements, "said Barret Armann, president of UniforLocal7378, who represents the pilot in an interview with CBC News.
The union has stated that it does not oppose the merger, but just wants to make sure that Sunwing pilots are in equal competition with other West Jetters .
"The company said it was a great plan to expand. I think it's a great idea if there is equality in wages and we agree with any deal we come up with." Mr Ahman said. "At the end of the day, our pilots don't want to be kicked down the street to start again."
Airport turmoil
Sunwing's merger with Westjet until the end of this year Both companies have previously stated that they will complete the project.
It is not immediately clear what the submission to the board means for the likelihood of a successful transaction. We are already facing many regulatory hurdles, including the Canadian Competition Bureau. The Canadian Competition Bureau has already stated that it is planning to review the transactionto make sure it is good for consumers.
Watch | Why air travel in Canada is so difficult right now: Several airports in Canada Officials say the long security line at Canada is the result of a shortage of staff. The union on behalf of screening officers suggests that better training and higher wages for employees will solve recruitment and retention challenges.
The potential for labor disputes is for Canada's roaring travel industry, suffering fromunderstaffed,. Even worse news. During a pandemic, a long line, a rampant delay,baggage headache .
Armand blamed most of what's happening at Canadian airports at the feet of the airline's own scrambled personnel during the pandemic, and sought help from thegovernment., and now I'm scrambling to get up again.
"It's all a factor that companies are running to dismiss everyone and [now] ask employees to come and work for us. Ahman said. "You threw us on the curb for a year and a half when we barely could afford a mortgage, and now you want us to work really hard."
Former Air Canada executive and now aviation industry instructor at McGill University in Montreal told CBC News on Monday that these issues will continue at least until summer. He said he was expecting it.
"It's probably not a good time to travel, unless you're tolerant of risk," Gradeck said. "Patience is a valid word."
