OTTAWA—New Democrat MPs are finding new ways to travel to the party policy convention in Vancouver this weekend to avoid crossing picket lines during the Air Canada strike.
“We’re going to take other alternatives,” NDP labour critic Yvon Godin (Acadie–Bathurst) said in an interview on Tuesday, adding that rival airline WestJet was the main choice. “The train takes a little bit too long, but we’re not going to fly on Air Canada. We hope it’s resolved before that.”
Crossing a picket line can be an uncomfortable activity for many people, but it would be a major taboo for the political party that grew out of the labour movement and makes sure to stay at unionized hotels on the campaign trail.
So, the NDP found itself in a bit of a pickle after Air Canada customer service agents walked off the job just after midnight after the union and airline failed to reach an agreement.
Kathleen Monk, director of communications for NDP Leader Jack Layton, said the Canadian Auto Workers union (CAW) asked the party to avoid flying Air Canada.
“We have been in conversations with the CAW and they said please make alternative arrangements,” Monk said.
Godin said he asked his fellow MPs during their caucus meeting on Libya Tuesday morning to avoid using Air Canada to get to the convention, which runs Friday to Sunday in downtown Vancouver.
But WestJet employees are not unionized and so the NDP is still acting against its principles for this backup plan.
“We’re not perfect,” said Ira Dubinsky, director of events for the NDP convention. “It does happen occasionally that something is just not available or something is not possible, but that’s certainly our strong preference and it is generally our policy to stay at unionized hotels and buy unionized products.”
New Democrat MP Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre) said he is travelling with WestJet.
“I cancelled my cushy business class direct flight and got an economy milk run with two stops!” Martin wrote in an email.
Martin acknowledged it might not be possible for ordinary convention delegates — who got a 10-per-cent discount with Air Canada — to change their travel plans.
“I don’t cross picket lines and neither will our MPs but I think the union would understand if ordinary delegates continued to travel (Air Canada) if they were unable to cancel their tickets,” Martin wrote.
Godin said it is up to delegates to decide.
“They’re going to have to make a decision,” said Godin. “We cannot decide for them, but ... to respect the strike of Air Canada, we’re not going to be flying on it. Our MPs will not be flying on it.”
Link to Article [2]