For more information and updates go to:
<bold>Alberta Strike Solidarity Page
</bold>http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5202/cargill.html
Messages of soldiarity can be sent to:
strikesupport@usa.net
October 7, 1997
Airport head threatens lockout - union
EDMONTON (CP) - Emergency and runway maintenance workers at
Edmonton International Airport say the travelling public will be placed at
risk by a looming strike or lockout on Saturday.
The airport authority is training replacement workers in the event of a labor
disruption this weekend.
But the union representing the workers say replacement workers won't
have the specialized training and years of experience of aviation firefighters.
Scott Clements, head of the airport authority, has threatened to lock out
the workers unless they accept his final offer, says a union representative.
"He is saying he's going to lock us out," said Judy Shannon of the Public
Service Alliance of Canada.
"What that says to us is it will immediately put other workers at the airport
and users of the airport, including the travelling public, at great risk."
The two sides will be in a legal strike-lockout position at 12:01 a.m. local
time Saturday.
Clements said the airport must remain open and it will operate under the
highest of safety standards, with Transport Canada watching closely.
"This international airport is a public trust. It's a vital aspect of the economy
of Alberta, particularly the Edmonton region.
"I have absolutely no option ... other than to make sure this airport keeps
running and keeps running safely."
He said he's confident a settlement will be reached before the deadline. He
also denied threatening the workers with a lockout, but said it's an option.
The 175 members of the union have been negotiating a new contract for
about 11 months.
They include firefighters, emergency response and runway maintenance
workers at the airport south of the city and the satellite municipal airport in
central Edmonton, which does not have scheduled passenger service.
In the case of the firefighters, they're trying to get the same pay as
firefighters in Edmonton, said Shannon.
The main issues are money, pay equity and staffing levels in the firehall.
<paraindent><param>left</param><bold><italic> "The true nature of government is:
An Injury to One is An Injury To All!"
</italic></bold></paraindent><bold>
Visit My Pages:
Union Ring
</bold>http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5202/unionring.html
<bold>Alberta Strike Solidarity Page
</bold>http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5202/cargill.html
<bold>Memories of the IWW by Elizabeth Gurley Flynn
</bold>http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5202/rebelgirl.html
<bold>The Edmonton and District Labour Council & City Politics 1903-1960
</bold>http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5202/CITYHALL1.htm
<bold>Plawiuk Pontificates, Voice of the Rebel Worker
</bold>http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5202
<bold>Just Do It! Boycott Nike
</bold>http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/5232
<bold>Commodity Fetish Times
</bold>http://www.geocities.com/WallStreet/9973
<bold>The Spanish Civil War 1936-1939
</bold>http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/9820
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