TORONTO — The Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA) has announced a unanimous 100 percent vote in favour of strike action by its membership at Porter Airlines, significantly increasing the potential for labour disruption in the new year.
The vote follows 14 months of unsuccessful contract negotiations between the union and the airline.
Safety Concerns Raised
CALDA, which represents 35 certified flight dispatchers at Porter, expressed serious concern over the airline’s preparations for a potential work stoppage. The union stated that Porter has begun training a small number of non-unionized personnel as potential substitutes for the certified dispatchers.
CALDA National President Rob King emphasized the critical role of the group, stating that dispatchers are “certified aviation professionals whose expertise directly impacts the safety of every flight.” The union deemed the move to train non-union substitutes as “unsafe, irresponsible, and disrespectful to both employees and the traveling public.”
Negotiation Status
The parties are currently engaged in the final stages of Conciliation, supported by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
If the negotiations remain unsuccessful, job action could commence in the new year, potentially impacting Porter’s flight schedule. CALDA is pushing for a contract that reflects the value of its members’ work.
Certified flight dispatchers are responsible for joint decision-making with pilots on flight planning, safety, and operations. CALDA also represents dispatchers at other major Canadian carriers, including Air Canada, WestJet, and Air Transat.
