News
Arbitrator Douglas Stanley to oversee AC dispute
May 2, 2012, Ottawa - Labour Minister Lisa Raitt has appointed an arbitrator in the dispute between Air Canada and the Air Canada Pilots Association.
May 2, 2012 By The Canadian Press
Raitt has appointed Douglas Stanley to oversee talks.
Stanley, a labour lawyer who was New Brunswick's deputy minister of labour, was suggested as a candidate by both sides.
He will issue a decision on the final offers submitted by each party.
The two sides announced they would resume talks last month, but were waiting on Raitt to appoint an arbitrator.
Air Canada was prevented from locking out the pilots when Raitt sent the matter to the Canada Industrial Relations Board.
"The appointment of an arbitrator is a key step in resolving this labour dispute,'' Raitt said in a statement
"I urge the parties to work together and extend their full co-operation to Mr. Stanley.''
The Montreal-based airline has said once an arbitrator was appointed 10 days of scheduled talks would begin with the union that represents 8,600 mechanics, baggage handlers and cargo agents, who were thwarted from going on strike last month.
The federal government passed back-to-work legislation that sent the company and the two unions to binding arbitration, although Raitt said repeatedly it would be better for the parties to reach a negotiated agreement.
