March 1, 2013
Robert J. Deluce
President and Chief Executive Officer
Porter Airlines
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Toronto, ON M5V 1A1
Dear Robert Deluce,
I am writing to inform you that the Ontario Federation of Labour fully supports the striking COPE 343 members who work as airplane re-fuelers for your company, Porter Airlines. As you know, after forming a union last year they reached a stalemate in negotiations for their first collective agreement and walked off the job on January 10.
The issues that these workers are bringing to the table are centered around safety and pay. The list of unsafe practices and working conditions that they have reported are deeply troubling, while their pay is much lower than comparable workers at Pearson Airport. Given the vital importance of these issues, we implore that your company come to the table and bargain in good faith to reach an agreement.
In the meantime, we are also concerned that the replacement workers being hired or transferred by Porter Airlines will not have the skills necessary to ensure the safety of the flying public. For this reason, we have encouraged our members to boycott Porter Airlines until an agreement is reached.
On February 28, the Ontario Federation of Labour organized a rally to show support for these workers. The way that the strikers and those who came to support them were treated by the police was disgraceful and appalling.
This is not the conduct we expect from a company that presents itself as a first class airline and a good corporate citizen. The OFL will continue to exert pressure and stand up in solidarity with these striking workers until a deal is met.
Sincerely,
SID RYAN
President
Ontario Federation of Labour