The prospect of thousands of Canadians venting anger over a ruined spring break lit a fire under the federal government, which stepped in Thursday to prevent a threatened work stoppage at Air Canada.
Canada’s largest air carrier was at risk of being grounded Monday over a labour dispute.
On Wednesday, the union representing Air Canada baggage handlers and mechanics, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), served notice they would walk off the job on Monday.
The next day, Air Canada announced it would lock out its 3,000 pilots – represented by a different union – on the same Monday.
Within hours, federal Labour Minister Lisa Raitt invoked legislation designed to avoid disruption of critical public services.
Raitt referred the dispute to the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB).
“Our government received a strong mandate to protect the Canadian economy and Canadian jobs, so we have been closely following the negotiations between Air Canada and the Air Canada Pilots Association and [IAMAW],” Raitt said.
“I have asked the CIRB to review the situation at Air Canada to ensure that the health and safety of the public would not be affected during a work stoppage.”
But this may be just a stop-gap measure. The CIRB can issue binding temporary orders on work stoppages that may threaten public safety or health. Both the unions and the employer must continue their normal work activities until the CIRB can determine whether there is a public health or safety issue.
“I am concerned that the parties have not been able to reach agreements,” said Raitt. “I encourage the parties to continue working together to resolve their individual disputes and restore confidence for the travelling public and Canadian job creators that rely on commercial air services.”
