Imagine not knowing whether you will be working for the same employer, a new employer or whether or not you will even have a job moving forward.

This is what IAM members at TBH Services are facing with their current contract with the GTAA set to expire in 28 days on October 22, 2024. The contract is part of an Request for Proposal Process that would allow the GTAA the ability to provide the contract to another employer. This practice is known as contract flipping.

Dan Janssen, General Chairperson of District 140 travelled to Ottawa on September 24, 2024, to speak with a standing committee of Parliament about the stress and anxiety these members are experiencing due to the lack of proper safeguards and notice requirements as well as to highlight the need for living wages for airport workers.

Janssen urged the committee to fix the loopholes that still exist in the Code. “I am seeking help for my coworkers, Bill C-330 could pass in this session of the house, legislation for RFP notice periods should align with the group termination timelines and the minimum standard should no less than living wages for all airport workers.”

NDP MP Alexander Boulerice’s has introduced a private members Bill C-330 This bill, if passed, would ensure workers maintained the same collective agreement and union despite whether the employer changes during a contract flip.

Following the meeting, Janssen highlighted the IAM’s commitment to political action. “The IAM has always been a strong political advocate for workers rights. I want to thank NDP labour Critic MP Matthew Green and his office for his support for an airport living wage and helping to address contract flipping.”

The committee hearing can viewed here: https://parlvu.parl.gc.ca/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/00010101/-1/42268?Embedded=true&globalstreamId=20&viewMode=3

Last week (Sept 17^th) Local 2413 members ratified a new 2-year collective agreement with Menzies Cargo with a 96.9% acceptance. IAM members employed as Warehouse Agents, Office Agents and Lead Agents had a strike deadline scheduled for 17 Sept.

Having soundly rejected the employer’s previous offer and a unanimous strike vote taken, the employer came back to the table with wages the union and its membership were seeking.

This 2-year Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) will run from May 13, 2024 to May 12, 2026. The average increase over the 2 years is close to 20%. Senior members will immediately be receiving a $3/hr to $3.25/hour increase, depending on their classification.

This 2-year CBA provides Living Wages to our IAM Leads, along with more senior members in the Office and Warehouse operations. It further provides a path for new members to easily reach a living wage when we are back at the bargaining table in a mere 14 months,” said Michael Corrado, General Chairperson for IAM District 140. “I’d like to thank the Bargaining Committee, Jorge Vargas and Chris Dunlop for all the work they did to achieve this important agreement for the members.”

2 ½ years ago the workers at Menzies Cargo YYZ joined the IAM so that they could have an established union assist them in improving their wages and working conditions. The IAM is proud to have helped members in the Cargo Office go from making approximately $17.50/hr. to $25.20/hr., or Warehouse employees go from making approximately $17.68/hr to $26.20/hr. It is also truly rewarding having the Lead Hands go from earning $20.00/hr. to $28.20/hr wage in this latest CBA.

It doesn’t cost to belong to a Union, it pays!

For more information:
Michael Corrado, General Chairperson

IAM members working for TBH Services at Toronto Pearson airport are concerned for their future as their contract with the Greater Toronto Airport Authority has gone through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Some IAM members have worked for TBH Services at Canada’s largest workplace, Toronto Pearson Airport, for over 20 years.

The membership is very concerned with the lack of information and are on edge waiting to find out what will happen to their livelihoods should the contract change to a new employer. The RFP process was extended by one month and has left the membership on edge. They are very worried that it may change to a non-union employer that could drastically change work rules, wages and benefits.

The IAM has been pushing the airport authority to move away from the RFP process as this impacts workers rights and keeps wages low. The IAM also suggests poor working conditions and reduced wages due to contract flipping damages service levels as staff turnover becomes a major problem.

The IAM has been made aware that within the RFP documents there was no language about labour standards or Canadian Labour Code rights and protections for the existing employment group. This is despite the Toronto Airport Workers’ Council succeeding in 2016 to push the Greater Toronto Airport Authority to include labour standards and expectations within the RFP documents.

“Contract flipping is a destructive practice that needs to stop. The impact this is having on our membership is shameful. Workers at Toronto Pearson deserve better. Our members deserve better. The IAM will continue to lobby all levels of government and fight to eliminate this practice,” said Dan Janssen, General Chairperson for IAM District 140.

The IAM represents the greatest number of workers at Canadian airports.

For more information:
Dan Janssen
General Chairperson
IAM District 140