'Stop contract flipping, protect successor rights for workers'
General trade union Unifor is calling on Canadian airports to stop the practice of contract flipping.
Contract-flipping involves subcontracting out services and changing service providers every few years, Unifor 2002 explained in a statement, in an attempt of employers to "unjustly cut back on employees, reduce and stagnate wages, and limit employees' rights" so the contracting company gets to save costs and increase profit.
According to Unifor 2002, every time a contract for an airport service flips, workers are forced to reapply for their job with the new company, which they said involves significant wage cuts and reduced benefits.
"The practice of contract retendering has negatively affected Unifor members who work at airports for many years. These workers are currently not eligible for job protection in the event that supplier contracts change hands," said Unifor 2002 in a statement.
"Stop contract flipping, protect successor rights for workers."
Read more: Unifor members to enjoy enhanced benefits under new collective agreement
Unifor referred to a promise from the Liberal Party in 2015, where they said they are "ready to study, and if necessary, fix any loophole in the Canada Labour Code that might leave Canadian workers vulnerable."
In its statement, Unifor warned: "We can't wait any longer."
"In order to end the worst effects of contract flipping, Unifor is demanding the government institute full successor rights."
Former Employment Minister Patty Hajdu in 2018 previously recommended a regulation to extend the protection of "remuneration levels to workers covered by a collective agreement at airports and airlines following contract retendering."
"The practices of contract retendering or 'contract-flipping' are serious issues at some Canadian airports, and we are taking action. We will work with stakeholders during the regulatory process to ensure we get this right," said the minister.
Unifor previously said that it will keep up the pressure on federal politicians until the "change is adopted as law."
