UPDATE: July 27, 2017 - 5:58 PM

Sunwing Airlines provided the following statement regarding contingency plans.

"In the event of industrial action by Swissport employees, our main focus will remain on ensuring that our customer’s travels are unaffected and their safety is not compromised. We already have a contingency plan in place and are confident that this plan, together with the contingency measures that Swissport has prepared, will minimize or completely avoid any disruption to our passengers."

Original Story: 

For the second time this week, employees at a major Canadian airport have threatened strike action, with 700 employees of Swissport, which provides ground crew for 30 airlines at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), including Sunwing and Air Transat, threatening to walk off the job Thursday evening.

Teamsters Local 419, which represents the employees of Swissport, including baggage handlers and aircraft cabin cleaners, filed a 72-hour strike notice Monday.

"We are suggesting that our members reject this offer," said Christopher Monette, a spokesman for Teamsters Local 419.

Earlier this month, CP24 reported that the union had accused Swissport of hiring as many as 250 temporary workers ahead of the contract expiry date, and placing them in sensitive areas of the airport without proper training.

“Our members get three to four weeks of training, my understanding is Swissport is giving them three to four days of training,” said Harjinder Bardial, president of Teamsters Local 419, saying that in one case, a ladder was left against a plane, damaging it, while in another, bags were left unattended as the plane they were intended for, departed.

In response to the claim, Pierre Payette, vice president of operations at Swissport told CP24 that 100 temporary workers have actually been hired only to address the swell in demand that comes with the summer season and that they get “the exact same training as regular Swissport employees - nine days for baggage handlers - and more if workers have to come into close proximity to planes.”, adding that safety is a priority for the firm..

According to a post on their website, members of Teamsters Local 419 will meet throughout the day Thursday at the Sheraton Gateway hotel for an update on negotiations, a report on Swissport’s offer for settlement of the collective agreement, and to conduct a secret ballot ratification/strike vote. Should the offer be turned down by union members, employees will be in legal strike position as of 9:30 PM EDT on Thursday, July 27, 2017.

Airlines, meanwhile, are putting contingency plans in place with Air Transat responding to a tweet stating that they are “on top of the situation and have taken all measures to ensure that our operations are unaffected” in the event of a strike.

We are on top of the situation and have taken all measures to ensure that our operations are unaffected 1/2

— Air Transat (@airtransat) July 27, 2017

if there is a strike by Swissport baggage handlers at Toronto Pearson international Airport. //JT 2/2

— Air Transat (@airtransat) July 27, 2017

The Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) has indicated that a contingency plan is in place should a strike proceed.

“Airlines who contract services from Swissport will have the most up-to-date information on their flights in case of a disruption.” said GTAA spokesperson Natalie Moncur in a written statement to CP24 Wednesday morning. “Should labour disruption occur as a result of these negotiations, Toronto Pearson has a contingency plan in place, as part of our emergency management program.”

Toronto Pearson airport also responded to a tweet stating "For information on future #YYZ flights supported by Swissport, please contact your airline."

TravelPulse Canada is monitoring the situation and will report as the story unfolds.

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