TO ALL IAMAW MEMBERS
EMPLOYED BY
GARDAWORLD
TORONTO BASED MEMBERS
-SPM ORGANIZING CAMPAIGN
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As you may be aware, the IAMAW is in the process of unionizing the GardaWorld SPMs working at
the Toronto Airports, following decisions by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) which
has already recognized this group of employees as appropriate for unionization in previous organizing
campaigns that took place at the Vancouver and Winnipeg airports.
Unfortunately, it appears to the IAMAW that the employer is retaliating against this organizing
campaign.
In what we believe is an attempt to deny these workers their right to unionization, GardaWorld
terminated three (3) SPM union supporters and our General Chairperson, Bro. Barry Barnett, from
GardaWorld for assisting these workers with their rights to join a union.
Terminating employees for participating in a union organizing campaign is a direct violation of the
Canada Labour Code. As such, your Union filed an unfair labour practice against GardaWorld last
week citing numerous Labour Code violations with the CIRB. This will simply not be tolerated by our
Organization!
GardaWorld further advised their Management staff and elected Union Officers that they were not to
engage in union business with our District Lodge General Chairperson, Bro. Barry Barnett.
The IAMAW has told GardaWorld that its actions constitute gross violations of the Labour Code
inasmuch as they are attempting to direct a Union Representative in the performance of their
legitimate and assigned duties. It is the Union’s clear and unequivocal position that the employer
may not direct a Union Representative, and that their actions constitute direct interference with the
administration and formation of a union, contrary to the Canada Labour Code.
Bro. Barnett is an employee of Transportation District 140 and he will continue to be the General
Chairperson assigned to represent our Members working for GardaWorld at the Toronto Airports. As
such, it is business as usual.
Employers cannot pick and choose which Union Representative they want to deal with and the
Company cannot refuse to deal with the Union’s elected Representatives.
…/2
2/… GARDAWORLD TORONTO BASED MEMBERS
SPM ORGANIZING CAMPAIGN
SEPTEMBER 28, 2017
Bro. Barry Barnett is an elected full-time General Chairperson representing the IAMAW Members of
District 140. He reports to the President & Directing General Chairperson of District Lodge 140, and
by extension to the Canadian General Vice-President. In carrying out his Union duties Bro. Barnett
does not report to any person at GardaWorld, nor to any other employer. As such, GardaWorld has
been told by the Union that they may not instruct him in the performance of his duties and may not
sanction him for carrying out legitimate Union business.
I further ask that our Garda members stand in solidarity and support the SPMs in their right to
unionization. No worker deemed appropriate by the CIRB for unionization should be denied the right
to join a union in this country due to employer coercion, interference and intimidation!
In Solidarity,
Fred Hospes, President & Directing General Chairperson
Transportation District 140, IAMAW
