Strike averted: Porter & flight dispatchers reach tentative agreement

Porter Airlines and its flight dispatchers, represented by the Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA), have reached a tentative collective agreement, according to a statement issued Friday evening (Jan. 16).

The agreement reflects “constructive and productive discussions” at the bargaining table, the groups said.

The union will now schedule a ratification vote for its members in the coming days.

“We’re very pleased to have come to a resolution with CALDA,” said Kent Woodside, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Porter Airlines, in a statement. “Flight dispatchers are an important part of our team. They perform crucial duties and we want them to continue doing so with a contract in place. Coming to terms on a first collective agreement often takes perseverance. We appreciate the commitment of everyone involved in doing so.”

Flight dispatchers at Porter voted overwhelmingly (100 per cent) in favour of strike action on Dec. 10 following more than 14 months of negotiations.

Without a deal, the group would have been in a legal strike position as early as Jan. 20.

In a statement Friday evening, Mark Yezovich, national president of CALDA, said the tentative agreement “reflects meaningful progress and a shared commitment to moving forward in a productive and respectful manner.”

“CALDA looks forward to continuing to work with Porter Airlines in the years ahead,” Yezovich said.

The tentative agreement was finalized with assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

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