The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Security staff at Montreal-Trudeau Airport stage a protest over negotiations
Unionized members of the Métallos are staging a protest on Friday near Montreal-Trudeau Airport to step up pressure on their employer, Garda, as part of negotiations to renew their collective agreement.
Security staff at Montreal-Trudeau Airport staged a protest Friday, aiming to pressure GardaWorld Aviation during ongoing negotiations over a renewed collective agreement. The action involved members of the Métallos union, which represents around 1,200 security screeners and checkpoint supervisors.
The protest took place near Montreal-Trudeau International Airport as part of the union’s effort to prompt further discussions with the employer. No strike is planned at this time, as the Canadian Industrial Relations Board must first determine which essential services must be maintained if a strike occurs.
Union members recently rejected GardaWorld’s final comprehensive offer by a margin of 74.7 percent, signaling dissatisfaction with the current terms of the agreement. Despite the vote, officials indicated negotiations remain active and constructive dialogue is ongoing.
GardaWorld Aviation stated that it continues discussions with United Steelworkers Local 9554 and emphasized safety and minimizing disruption for airport users. The company noted the essential nature of the work performed by security screeners and checkpoint supervisors and highlighted the high workload and vigilance required.
Nicolas Lapierre, director of Steelworkers Quebec, commented that workers have not received a pay raise for two and a half years and expressed a desire for negotiations to resume with a budgetary framework reflecting the scope of the work performed by the staff. The report is sourced from The Canadian Press.