News
Business as usual at Porter FBO despite strike plans
Jan. 10, 2013, Toronto - Porter Airlines flights out of its base at the Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto were operating normally Thursday, despite a strike by 22 employees who refuel its planes, the airline said
Thursday.
January 10, 2013 By The Canadian Press
Talks between the workers, represented by the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union, and management broke down Wednesday over wages.
In a statement, Porter Aviation Holdings Inc. said negotiations stalled when the union turned down a 6.1 per cent wage increase for this year.
"No negotiations are currently scheduled,'' Porter spokesman Brad Cicero said.
The strike is a first for the workers, who have been trying to negotiate a first contract since organizing last August.
The union was not immediately available for comment Thursday.
As part of its contingency plan, Porter trained replacement workers to fill in during the labour disruption.
"Everyone currently working is trained as well or better than the workers currently on strike'' Cicero said. "Everyone is certified and operating to the highest safety standards.''
Porter flies to about a dozen cities in Eastern Canada and the United States and carried 2.45 million passengers last year.
