Attention All Local Lodge 2323 Members -Air Canada Cargo
DNATA Subcontract
June 28, 2018
In early 2018 your Union met with Cargo management to seek resolution of our concerns arising
from a subcontract of Cargo work. The issue arose due to the present facilities inability to
accommodate an increase in perishable cargo that required specialized storage. We were advised
that construction of an expanded facility would see this cargo return and worked exclusively by
our members. Things changed, as these plans fell through.
We then attempted to have management agree that no present employees would be furloughed in
an economic downturn, while subcontractor GTA DNATA employees had any hands on our
work. That proposal was rejected.
It seemed that the only constant was an ever changing landscape of possibilities to repatriate this
work. It had changed from a modified building to a leased facility and is presently touted as
construction of a new building. Moreover, members and stewards noticed that work that we
believed can be reasonably accommodated in Cargo I, was being moved out. We had to act!
On June 25 your Local Lodge President Dave Flowers and Shop Committee Chair Mike Cooke
joined General Chairperson Paul Lefebvre in a mediation session conducted in front of an
Interest Arbitrator. No viable agreement could be reached. We informed the company that
we will now be invoking our right to full evidentiary arbitration.
The company advised the Mediator that they’d be presenting their case via legal counsel. To that
end, Dave Flowers responded that Local Lodge 2323 would also be hiring legal counsel to
challenge the company in the presentation of our grievance.
We firmly believe that our negotiated Job Security clauses will see a good outcome from a third
party Arbitrator. One that sees our membership jobs and rights protected, as well as a return of
this work. It is our membership that should be enjoying increased numbers and opportunities
driven by our scope work, not employees of DNATA.
We will advise you further when the Arbitration date is set. We thank all of our members and
stewards who have been our eyes and ears in the workplace. Your contribution of needed
information has been invaluable.
Dave Flowers
President
Paul Lefebvre
General Chairperson
