Teamsters Local 419 represents 700 workers employed by Swissport, a multinational company subcontracted to handle baggage for several airlines at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport (YYZ). The workers have been on strike since July 27. Their demands are: wage increases that will be only slightly above the proposed increases to the Ontario minimum wage, and keeping benefits for part-time workers.
The workers have overwhelmingly voted down two proposed deals because the employer insists upon concessions. In the second vote, it was 98 per cent NO. The protracted strike will soon create greater problems for the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA). The strike has implications for airport industrial relations and its 50,000 workers.
Socialist Action is proud to express its solidarity for workers on strike, especially for the members of Local 419 who demonstrate the courage to stand up to the bosses’ demands for concessions, and fight back for gains.