700 staff at Pearson go on strike

As a result of a vote late last night, approximately 700 ground workers at Toronto Pearson International Airport are officially on strike after last-ditch negotiations crumbled.

The 700 unionized workers are employed by Swissport, which services 30 airlines at the airport including Sunwing, Air Transat, Air France and British Airways.

The members of Teamsters Local 419 include baggage handlers, cleaners, and cargo handlers. In the past, strikes by grounds staff have caused injuries as a result of untrained personnel stepping in to fulfill the responsibilities required for smooth operations.

The union says 95 per cent voted against the company's contract proposal.

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority said it had a contingency plan in place in the event of a strike or labour disruption but did not provide details.

Workers will be picketing at the airport, but according to union spokesperson Harjinder Badial, they will not disrupt flight services.

"Our fight is not with the general public, it's with Swissport management and we're not here to delay any sort of flights or anything like that," he said.

The strike comes as a result of Swissport workers claiming that the terms of contracts were unfair. Unionized workers are unhappy with the recent hiring of 250 temporary workers last May.

Picket lines have been set up outside Pearson's Terminal 3, as well as a cargo terminal near Swissport's main offices.

While a spokesperson originally said flights would not be affected, representatives from Toronto Pearson International Airport have issued a statement saying flights could now potentially be disrupted. They are asking travellers to check the status of their flights and says it will provide updates as they become available.