The TAWC is composed of airport workers from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), SEIU, the Teamsters and Unifor, among others.
It is working with the ITF airports programme to support unions in building a solidarity network airport-wide, with an emphasis on sharing knowledge and mutual support. The TAWC solidarity action exemplifies what the programme is trying to achieve.
The Swissport workers – who are represented by Teamsters 419 – have been on strike since 27 July after bargaining talks derailed.
Harjinder S Badial, vice president of Teamsters Local 419, said: “This strike is about respect, and the solidarity from workers right across the airport is really important to us. It sends a clear message that we are not alone in our fight.”
Michael Corrado, regional assistant directing general chairperson of IAM’s transportation district lodge 140, commented that solidarity was about working with people on the things that mattered, and about believing that a hurt to one was a hurt to all. He added that solidarity was a vital step towards creating a more civilised workplace and a stronger airport community.
See the Swissport workers walking out after announcing the 95 percent strike vote, and find out more about the strike.
