Atlantic Canada’s airport security screeners take job action over GardaWorld’s non-payment of wages
23 Abril 2024 - 4:56PM
Security screeners from 15 airports across Atlantic Canada are
taking job action in response to their employer’s non-payment of
wages.
The security screeners are members of United Steelworkers union
(USW) Locals 5319 and 9342. They are employed by GardaWorld, a
multinational corporation which is funded by the federal government
through its Crown corporation, the Canadian Air Transport Security
Authority (CATSA).
The non-payment of wages began on April 18. The employer then
made two consecutive commitments that it would issue the wages due
to the workers – first on April 19 and again on April 22.
While a number of the union members have received some monies,
there are multiple errors in the amounts, due to the company
transferring from electronic pay slips to an application, making it
difficult for workers to verify their earnings.
Despite the company’s mishandling of wage payments, the security
screeners have continued to show up to work. These individuals
continue to be dedicated to the safety and security of the
travelling public even though they have not been appropriately
compensated for it.
The Steelworkers’ members in the 15 airports have started their
job action to send GardaWorld a stern message: pay your workers
now! Workers are defying their uniform requirements, such as
wearing jeans rather than uniform pants, donning brighter colours
and sneakers and not wearing GardaWorld shoulder boards.
Responses from travellers have been positive and encouraging to
the security screeners and the workers have expressed their
appreciation for such displays of solidarity during their job
action.
The job action will continue until all members receive the
correct pay for the work they have performed, the union says.
Media contacts:
Mark Arsenault, USW Local 5319 President,
president5319@bellaliant.comLorei Leigh De Los Reyes, USW
Communications, 416-544-6009, ldelosreyes@usw.ca