The Canadian Air Navigation Specialists Association (CANSA), Unifor Local 1016, is challenging Nav Canada’s approach to bargaining, accusing the employer of rejecting the union’s established pattern and preparing to use replacement workers in case of a strike. Contract talks broke down in February, prompting CANSA to file for conciliation in its ongoing negotiations with Nav Canada.
Jim Walker, president of Unifor Local 1016, claimed that Nav Canada is resisting the union’s national bargaining pattern, which he says would improve working conditions across the company. “Nav Canada is intent on disrupting the Unifor pattern,” Walker said. “The employer made it clear during conciliation that the Unifor national pattern is too generous and would help lift the working conditions of other bargaining units across Nav Canada.”
Nav Canada informed Unifor in April of its intention to use replacement workers, coinciding with its public announcement of a deal with CAE Inc. to outsource training tasks typically handled by Unifor members. This agreement would allow CAE to manage training for flight service specialists and air traffic controllers, roles traditionally filled by Unifor training specialists, according to the union.
Unifor, which represents 320,000 workers across various sectors in Canada, including 1016 CANSA members, advocates for the right to strike and collective bargaining free from interference. Recently enacted federal anti-scab legislation aims to protect such rights, though Nav Canada has sought to exempt certain navigation and air traffic service roles from these protections. During bargaining, Nav Canada supported amendments proposed by Federally Regulated Employers – Transportation and Communications (FETCO) that would extend “essential work designations” to certain employees, which Unifor argues undermines good-faith negotiations.
After conciliation talks concluded in April, CANSA filed an application with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) for a Maintenance of Activities Agreement (MOAA), seeking to clarify members’ right to withdraw services. The CIRB has yet to issue a ruling on the matter.
Walker emphasized the importance of solidarity among union members as the bargaining process continues. “Continued patience and solidarity among Unifor Local 1016 members will be critical to showing the employer that we are serious about enforcing the Unifor pattern,” he said. He added that other Unifor locals within Nav Canada had ratified the pattern, and Local 1016 seeks similar treatment.
Unifor Local 1016 represents members involved in various critical roles within Nav Canada, including air traffic control training, operational support, and flight data analytics, with members stationed at locations across the country.