Update:
Union leaders representing workers at Timmins' airport are clarifying the recent strike action decision.
The union says some workers have voted in favour of going on strike, but they have not set a date and time yet.
19 members of the Union of Canadian Trasnportation Employees voted Thursday, February 27 and say they're willing to go on strike if necessary.
Union leaders say they're NOT planning to walk off the job Friday, but say it's a 'hard maybe' for next week.
They're hoping the city will come back to the bargaining table and negotiate.
The UCTE says it will give the city 72-hours notice if and when they take action.
Original:
Some workers at the Timmins Victor M. Power Airport are poised to start striking Friday, March 1.
After two years of bargaining with the City of Timmins, 19 members of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees have “voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action,” according to the union’s website.
The workers include: maintenance and airfield technicians, mechanics, electricians, some administrative personnel, and the people who plow the runways.
According to the union, clothing allowances and shift premiums for working on early morning flights are among the issues.
Martin Mika is the regional vice president of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees.
“Our members aren’t out to inconvenience the residents of Timmins but the City has put us in a position where we either strike or accept a pay cut... What the City has offered at 1.5 percent… a pay increase, but substantially slashing monetary benefits that fall outside salary is a shady deal.” said Mika.
Travellers say a labour disruption at the airport would affect their lives:
“My daughter is a student at University of Toronto and she comes home once in a while, so it would really, I wouldn’t be able to see her in March when she comes home for a visit.”
“Just don’t like to see people on strike; I’ve been on strike before and it’s not good for anybody.”
“I think of Donald Trump down south with his shutting down the government and not paying people.”
The City of Timmins says the union is refusing to make any concessions at the bargaining table.
Rock Foy is the director of corporate services for the City of Timmins.
“If they decide to go on strike, our intention is to continue to provide the normal operations at the Victor M Power Airpot. So whatever that will take, we will ensure the normal services there.” said Foy.
He adds, it’s the union’s decision to make, whether it wants to get back to table or go on strike.
CTV Northern Ontario’s Lydia Chubak is following the story and will have more information as it becomes available.
