CUPW Reaches Tentative First Collective Agreement for Maintair Workers in Thunder Bay

Maintair workers in Thunder Bay will soon be voting on their first collective agreement. The bargaining committee recently reached a tentative agreement with the employer which provides significant wage increases over the duration of the agreement.

It also includes employer paid uniforms, benefits and a retirement savings plan, night shift premiums, increase in boot allowance, the right to union representation, and quarterly labour relations meetings.

While Maintair has been recording profits, its employees working at the Thunder Bay International Airport in ground handling services, including baggage handling, ramp coordination, and the grooming and cleaning of planes have been falling behind and struggling to keep up with the high cost of living. They joined CUPW in November 2023 with the goal of improving their working conditions, and we believe this agreement meets the needs of the members.

We’d like to thank the negotiating committee for their efforts in reaching a tentative agreement and to thank the members for their support throughout the bargaining process. A vote to ratify the collective agreement will be held shortly and the NEB recommends members to vote in favour of the agreement.

In solidarity,