Arbitrators appointed for Air Canada pilots and machinists

May 4, 2012 Christina Catenacci Human Resources, Union Relations

Image: www.ctv.ca/ (Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

I wrote recently about the Air Canada back-to-work legislation and the unions’ challenge to this legislation that it violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Well, now the arbitrators have been appointed for the labour disputes, notwithstanding the recent constitutional challenge.

It has been decided that Douglas Stanley will be dealing with the pilots’ dispute, and Michel Picher will be addressing the dispute with the machinists (mechanics, baggage handlers, and cargo agents).

The goal is to conclude agreements within a 10-day period beginning in May. If an agreement is not reached, final offer arbitration will take place. This means that both sides would propose a final offer, and the arbitrator would select one or the other.

Perhaps the negotiations will help reduce the animosity between the parties. Air Canada’s operations have been hurt over the last couple of months due to the wildcat strikes involving both unions that led to flight cancellations and disorganization at various airports.

We will keep you posted on this case…

What do you think will happen? Do you think the parties will reach an agreement, or do you think it will go to final offer selection?

Christina Catenacci
First Reference Human Resources and Compliance Editor

About
Latest Posts

Follow me

Christina Catenacci

Christina Catenacci, BA, LLB, LLM, was called to the Ontario Bar in 2002 and has since been a member of the Ontario Bar Association. Christina worked as an editor with First Reference between February 2005 and August 2015, working on publications including The Human Resources Advisor (Ontario, Western and Atlantic editions), HRinfodesk discussing topics in Labour and Employment Law. Christina has decided to pursue a PhD at the University of Western Ontario beginning in the fall of 2015. Read more

Follow me