Greater than 30 off-duty airport safety screening officers staged a rally exterior the worldwide terminal at Vancouver's airport Monday, making an attempt to ship a message to the general public that they’re overworked and underpaid.
Holding indicators and chanting slogans, the group held the rally as its union presently negotiates a brand new contract with Allied Common Safety, an American firm contracted by the Canadian Air Transport Safety Authority.
“We’re speaking about very restricted breaks, frequent scheduling modifications, well being and questions of safety,” mentioned David Flowers, President of the District 140 Union.
Whereas workers on the rally had been instructed to not converse on-record to media, CTV Information realized that they're pissed off with working situations. A number of highlighted one incentive during which the corporate offers a bonus to workers for working three months straight – however alleged that any employees who miss a single day resulting from illness forfeits their eligibility.
Allied Common disputed this declare.
"We're not conscious of any attendance bonus applications with the necessities you define…the place an individual loses all incentives for lacking in the future," a spokesperson wrote in an electronic mail.
The corporate additionally mentioned, in a earlier assertion, that its workers are its “best asset,” and that employees are inspired to report any points to administration.
Flowers says the union can also be in search of larger wages, telling CTV Information the everyday employee makes round $19 per hour.
Earlier this month, CTV Information reported on staffing points amongst safety screeners, leading to frustratingly lengthy wait timess for passengers.
Since then, Flowers says tons of of screening officers have been employed however that the employer received’t deal with the core difficulty dealing with employees.
“No less than 50 per cent or extra don’t make it by way of the coaching lessons,” mentioned Flowers. “So you'll be able to rent 400 folks but when they don’t keep, that’s extra of the identical difficulty.”
With the busy summer season season approaching, an airport spokesperson tells CTV Information they’ll deploy visitor companies employees and volunteers to assist handle passenger movement if essential Nevertheless, the Vancouver Airport Authority nonetheless recommends vacationers arrive two hours previous to touring home, and three hours early if flying worldwide.
Flowers admits that the union has restricted leverage within the negotiations, as safety screening officers are federally mandated to proceed working, that means a strike or walk-out just isn't on the desk.
With negotiations at a standstill, Flowers needs the federal authorities to step in.
"We consider there needs to be oversight and accountability from CATSA and the federal authorities on these third events as a result of then there is perhaps some distinction in the way in which we’re progressing,” mentioned Flowers. “As a result of proper now, we’re not getting wherever.”
A CATSA spokesperson informed CTV Information it's assured the 2 events will attain an settlement but it surely wouldn’t speculate on any federal intervention right now.
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