A labour fight between Air Canada and its union wound up in B.C. Supreme Court this week before the two groups reconciled Thursday afternoon.
On Wednesday, Air Canada quietly filed suit against the Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW) and Canadian Auto Workers Airline Local 2002, seeking an injunction to restrain the defendants from committing “unlawful” acts while picketing.
The suit also sought damages against the union.
According to court documents filed June 15, Air Canada has taken issue with picketers who slowed “any person or vehicle” trying to access Air Canada’s in-flight and flight operations briefing centre at Vancouver International Airport.
Air Canada alleged the picketers’ blockade negatively affected the “legitimate business interests” of the building’s tenants, namely Aveos Fleet Performance Inc. and Groupe Aeroplan.
The legal wrangle was launched two days after the union commenced strike action against Air Canada, following weeks of labour negotiations with the airline.
Then, on Thursday, the union and airline announced they had reached a tentative agreement with the airline after “gruelling” negotiations.
“We are very pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with the CAW,” said Duncan Dee, Air Canada’s executive vice president and COO.
“The agreement will help ensure the long-term sustainability of Air Canada while maintaining industry leading compensation and benefits for our employees.”
Neither the airline nor the union could be reached to say how the agreement would affect the fate of the lawsuit.
In a release, CAW president Ken Lewenza said the new agreement covers wages, pensions and “other key issues” in bargaining.
He added that the deal was not a result of the federal government’s push for “back to work” legislation.
Air Canada’s call centre, airport check-in and gate agents are expected to return to work Friday morning.
Joel McMay