NDP tables bill to stop exploitative practices against airport workers
11 May 2023 Frankie Odgers General Info, Political Action 0
OTTAWA — On Thursday, NDP critic for Labour Alexandre Boulerice tabled a bill that aims to end the exploitative practice of contract flipping by airport bosses that undermines airport workers’ rights. If passed, Boulerice’s bill would close a loophole in the Canada Labour Code to force an incoming subcontractor hired by any airport authority in Canada to honour collective agreements negotiated by outgoing employers.
“As it stands today, airport bosses can flip a contract to the lowest bidder — even at short notice — to cut costs and increase profits at the expense of workers’ jobs, salaries, and benefits. This is completely unacceptable,” said Boulerice. “My bill will force newly incoming subcontractors to respect negotiated collective agreements with previous employers. This will better protect workers’ jobs and livelihoods.”
Earlier this year, Montreal Airport bosses decided to flip their contracts from subcontractors Swissport and Airport Terminal Services to two new companies. This move by the airport will vaporize more than 600 jobs by June of this year since the two new subcontractors hired by Montreal Airport will have no obligation to honour the collective agreements negotiated with the previous employers. Boulerice’s bill aims to end this unfair practice once and for all.
“If Justin Trudeau’s Liberals really care about workers, they should do the right thing and adopt my bill right away to protect jobs and workers’ rights,” said Boulerice. “People are struggling with the rising cost of groceries and housing. They shouldn’t have to worry about suddenly losing their job because of greedy big bosses who only care about profits. It’s time to end contract flipping exploitative practices for good. You can always count on New Democrats to fight for workers.”
Canadian Airport shamefully enabling contract-flipping
February 22, 2023
Montreal, QC – Earlier this month, Aéroports de Montreal announced that Menzies Aviation, Samsic Assistance and Trans-Sol Aviation Services are the successful companies that will be granted ground handling licenses to operate at Pierre Elliott Trudeau airport (YUL) resulting in a loss of hundreds of International Association of Machinists (IAM) jobs.
Contract-flipping, which is what is happening at the Montreal Airport, is the practice of awarding service contracts for work, and then changing providers every few years. The successful bidder for the contract is generally the one with the lowest bid. This has the effect of lowering wages and benefits, and creating great uncertainty in the lives of workers and their families.
“The IAM was at the forefront in pushing for contract-flipping legislation changes. It is incredibly frustrating that one of the biggest airports in Canada has given airlines a vehicle to flip these contracts to keep workers’ wages low. It’s a disgusting practice. Each time a contract is flipped, workers must reapply to the new employer, only under different work rules and pay structure,” said David Chartrand IAM General Vice-President Canada.
Last week, the IAM was made aware that our members at Airport Terminal Services (ATS) and Swissport would be losing their jobs later this year. Not all of the new companies have any experience working at the Montreal Airport, nor do they have any infrastructure or staff. They must hire workers to fulfill the contract.
In the past, there was no limit on ground handlers operating at Pierre Elliott Trudeau (YUL) airport. Until recently, where Aéroports de Montreal decided to limit the licenses to ground handlers and go to a request for proposal process (RFP). Aéroports de Montreal then allowed a committee of airlines who operate at YUL, to review, set parameters and ultimately decide who is awarded the licenses.
Continued Chartrand “It’s shameful that Airports de Montreal has set up this process to stagnate worker wages. Airport workers at YUL deserve better. Swissport and Airport Terminal Service are long-tenured employers at YUL. It’s not lost on the IAM that the airlines committee chose three non-unionized companies as the successful applicants for the licenses. The IAM is currently reviewing all avenues to protect these workers earned rights.”
The IAM represents the largest amount of workers at Canadian airports.
The IAM has long advocated for legislation to end contract-flipping to protect Canadian workers in air transportation. Follow this link for just a sample of this advocacy: IAM Position Statements by Industry – IAMAW