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Garda, screener union to go with binding arbitration

Nov. 7, 2012, Toronto - Garda Security Screening Inc. and the union representing security screeners at Toronto airports have agreed to
send the outstanding issues in their contract talks to binding arbitration.


November 7, 2012  By The Canadian Press

The issues include wages, an increase in the number of sick days, increased pension contributions and limiting the number of part-time employees to 15 per cent of full-time staff, the union said.

The decision follows the rejection of a tentative agreement in September.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents about 1,700 employees at Toronto Pearson International
Airport, Toronto Buttonville Municipal Airport and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

The decision to send the remaining issues to arbitration was reached with the help of a federal mediator.

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"We only had two choices for our members,'' said Ron Fontaine, IAM grand lodge representative and chief bargainer.

"Following the rejection of the tentative agreement we could do nothing and let the federal labour minister force an arbitrary decision similar to what happened with the post office. Or we could agree to as many items as possible during mediation and send the
remaining outstanding issues to binding arbitration.

"We and the employer chose the latter.''

The security screeners are employed by a division of Garda World Security, which won a five-year deal last summer estimated at $650 million to provide airport screening at 15 Ontario airports.

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