Poised to serve notice that its members could strike at Air Canada on Monday, the Canadian Auto Workers union staged a rally at Pearson airport Thursday to show it's ready to walk off the job.
“If the employer wants a strike, they'll stay on their proposals,” said CAW national president Ken Lewenza.
“We're saying at 11:59 on Monday night, if we don't have a deal, we will use the collective power of our membership, the collective power of our voice.”
The union, which represents 3,800 customer service agents across the country, is upset with Air Canada's demands for pension changes that would trim benefits by as much as 40 per cent, as well as create a new pension system for new hires.
The airline wants to switch to a defined-contribution system instead of the current defined-benefit system, where people are guaranteed a payout. But the CAW says it's a non-starter because it weakens the existing pension with no new growth.
The workers, who were joined by other Air Canada employees as well as labour leaders, are frustrated, saying when the airline was in trouble, they made concessions from wage cuts and freezes to work changes. Now that the airline is in a better financial position, they say they deserve their fair share.
The union, which must serve 72 hours' notice on Friday for any strike action, received a 98 per cent strike mandate.
It is working with other Air Canada unions representing pilots, flight attendants and mechanics that are also in the middle of their own contract talks.
Lewenza ruled out any chance of rotating strikes or work-to-rule campaigns. “We've been in discussions for the last six months. Unless you use the maximum power of the workers to convince the employer that we got to get a deal, we'll procrastinate forever,” he said.
If there is a walkout, it is unclear whether Air Canada unions could work together to put pressure on management. Lewenza said all the unions have offered support, but “what we would do to have maximum impact” is still being decided.
The airline has said its priority is getting a deal, but in the event of a walkout, it would maintain a full schedule.
“It's just business as usual at Air Canada,” said spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick.
“We continue to negotiate with the CAW, and we expect to reach a settlement before their deadline.”
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