Strike action begins at Pearson Airport in Mississauga, Ontario

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Published April 16, 2024 at 7:45 am

pearson airport strike

Food service workers have begun to strike at Pearson Airport in Mississauga.

Teamsters Local Union 647, which represents some 800 workers at Gate Gourmet, walked off the job as of midnight today (April 16), Christopher Monette, director of public affairs told insauga.com.

The strike could leave passengers on about one-quarter of the daily flights leaving Pearson (about 100 or more) with fewer or no snacks, meals and beverages.

Air Canada, West Jet, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Air India, Aero Mexico, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, and Jetlines are among the airlines affected by the strike.

Over the weekend, Gate Gourmet tabled the final offer, which did not address concerns around wages, said Monette.

Currently, employees earn between around $17 and $23 an hour, Martin Cerqua, president of the Teamsters Local 647 told insauga.com.

“It’s well below a living wage,” Cerqua said.

These employees took wage freezes during the pandemic, he said. And as the cost of living has increased, the worker’s wages have continued to stay too low, particularly for life in the GTA.

The wages are about $3 to $6 an hour below similar jobs.

“It’s as a result of the impact of the cost of living crisis to our member’s families that our members are fighting for a living wage,” he said.

A historic 80 per cent of the members came out to vote.

“Members voted that 96 per cent in favour of rejecting the company’s final offer,” said Cerqua.

Airlines have been preparing for the possible strike. In an email statement to insauga.com, WestJet spokesperson Julia Kaiser said last week the airline has a plan to accommodate passengers.

Pearson Airport issued a statement this morning stating the strike is happening outside Terminal 1.

“Travellers may notice airline catering workers demonstrating outside Terminal 1 this morning,” Pearson said in a post on X. “Food services inside the airport will not be affected; the company is a supplier to airlines. Please reach out to your airline for more information on how services on individual flights may be affected.”

Lead photo: Teamsters Canada

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