On June 26, Unifor celebrates the first Airport Workers’ Day, organized by the Canadian Airports Council, in recognition of airport workers across Canada.
We would like to pay tribute to Unifor’s 16,000 skilled and dedicated members who work tirelessly and go the extra mile, from maintaining and operating airport facilities to security, registration of passengers at the kiosk, baggage handling, orientation of passengers upon landing, traffic direction, piloting of aircraft, assistance to passengers in flight or maintenance of devices. The union also thanks the many other aviation workers who provide exceptional service, day in and day out.
They all play a vital role in connecting people to communities and Canadians to the rest of the world. As the CAC puts it so well, “Air transport is only possible thanks to a dynamic network of specialists who work diligently and together to ensure the safety and smooth movement of people and goods. »
Fine statements are nice, but the recognition of airline workers is not just words. These workers need better working conditions and the sector must act now.
The Air Transport Workers Bill of Rights outlines nine concrete changes that government, airports and the entire sector must implement to truly show that air transport workers are recognized.
Workers in the sector need fair wages, with a minimum living wage required. They need fair scheduling practices and the ability to work one full-time job instead of multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet.
Airport workers must finally see an end to the worst effects of contract transfer through the implementation of full successor rights. Workers must be consulted and given meaningful input to ensure that technological changes improve service and do not worsen working conditions.
Employers in this sector need to move beyond providing training and create robust skills development programs that combine multiple learning methods, including on-the-job training and classroom-style programs. ”, if applicable.
Airports, airlines and governments continue to underestimate the value and complexity of the work of airline workers. We should not count on workers with seniority to take over from more recently hired workers who have not been properly trained.
Airline workers need a work environment free from harassment from customers and co-workers. Employers must reduce the number of disgruntled passengers workers face every day by stopping excessive reliance on understaffing and providing passengers with the service they deserve.
Finally, workers need safe reporting mechanisms, free from retaliation, to report unsafe business practices and create a healthier, safer work environment.
Workers appreciate the sentiment behind Airport Workers Day. It is high time that the sector began to publicly recognize workers for their valuable contributions.
Airports, airlines and governments must take concrete steps to improve working conditions and the lives of the hundreds of thousands of people who drive the sector forward.
On Airport Workers’ Day, the CAC will host events to thank the airport workforce and the community, with the theme “We Transport What Matters.”
Unifor believes that what matters now, as we mark this important day, is that airports, airlines and the Canadian government embrace the union’s framework for better working conditions that has already been established for them.
It’s time to make our aviation sector work for everyone – workers and travelers.
After all, our working conditions are your traveling conditions.
