Mediation fails, Jazz dispatchers head to conciliation
TORONTO, June 28, 2012 /CNW/ - The Association representing a group of key employees at Jazz Air has welcomed the appointment of a conciliator by the Federal Ministry of Labour in its dispute with Jazz Aviation.
"We were twice promised a conciliator, and twice the process was delayed, even though negotiations were getting nowhere," said Allan Shiell, chair of Local 2 of the Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA). "These delays have accomplished nothing other than preventing a solution to our dispute."
Shiell says he is prepared to take a formal strike vote Jul. 21 if the conciliator fails to facilitate an agreement by then.
"We put very reasonable and well supported proposals on the table that would have satisfied our members' concerns and would not have been a big cost item for Jazz," he said. "With the appointment of a conciliator the clock has started ticking towards us taking a strike vote if further negotiations prove to be unsuccessful."
Due to strict Transport Canada Regulations, Jazz cannot operate any flights without one of the Halifax-based dispatchers authorizing the release of each aircraft for each flight. Because of licensing and training regulations it would be practically impossible to replace the services of the 66 individuals that CALDA represents at Jazz.
Jazz Aviation LP, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chorus Aviation Inc. (TSX: CHR.A, CHR.B), operates more than 800 flights a day throughout North America under its Capacity Purchase Agreement with Air Canada.
Chorus earns virtually all of its revenue through Jazz. The company said it earned net income of $26.4 million for the first quarter of 2012 and paid a dividend of 15 cents per share in each of the last three quarters.
Allan Shiell
Chair, Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association Local 2
647-300-5151
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