MONTREAL, QUEBEC—Refueling and maintenance workers at Montreal’s Trudeau and Mirabel airports said Dec. 28 that they will go on strike at noon Dec. 31 if they haven’t reached a contract agreement with their employer, Swissport Canada. The International Association of Machinists said 90% of the 108 refueling personnel, machinists, dispatchers, maintenance workers, and mechanics had voted against the contractor’s last offer. “They’re not in the habit of going on strike or threatening to go on strike. But the membership is quite firm,” union spokesperson Frank Saptel told The Canadian Press. “Both parties need to talk, and hopefully they’ll get somewhere.” The Swissport employees, who refuel up to 500 aircraft per day, have been working under an expired contract since August, with pay and work-life balance the main issues. Mediation resumed after the rejection vote was announced, but Swissport said if there is a strike, it would continue services with “minimal disruption.” Read more
