The following is a statement from Toronto Region Board of Trade President & CEO, Giles Gherson, on ongoing labor negotiations between Air Canada and CUPE:
“As we get closer to a potential Saturday morning strike by Air Canada flight attendants, Toronto Region Board of Trade urges both parties to continue negotiations to avoid further disruption for Canadian air travellers and businesses. While some disruption is already taking place, a complete shut down of Canada’s largest airline—even briefly—would have broad-reaching economic consequences.
Air Canada serves more than 130,000 passengers daily, traveling for leisure, business, and tourism. Air travel also enables critical domestic and international goods movement and trade, supporting key sectors across the Toronto region. A disruptive work stoppage is occurring at precisely the moment when Canada is urgently seeking to reboot our economy and enhance our competitive position against mounting trade pressures.
The economic stakes are higher than ever. Any slow down creates delay we can not afford.
This type of disruption hurts Canada’s global reputation as a reliable trading partner at a time when it is essential that we reinforce our diverse international economic relations. If we can’t deliver goods to market on time, our partners will look for permanent alternatives.
Given the urgency of this matter, we call on the federal government to intervene with binding arbitration. We know Air Canada and its employees are eager to move forward and get back to providing Canadians and visitors the high-quality service for which they are known."
The Toronto Region Board of Trade is one of the largest and most influential business chambers in North America and is a catalyst for the region’s economic agenda. We pursue policy change to drive the growth and competitiveness of the Toronto region and facilitate market opportunities with programs, partnerships and connections to help our members succeed – domestically and internationally.
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