NDP Transport Critic Taylor Bachrach said the Liberal government needs to immediately improve conditions at Canadian airports. “Canadians are fed up and beyond frustrated with the ongoing delays in our airports. New Democrats are once again calling on Minister Alghabra and the Liberals to address air passenger delays by improving working conditions for security screeners.  

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

OTTAWA – NDP Transport Critic Taylor Bachrach said the Liberal government needs to immediately improve conditions at Canadian airports. 

“Canadians are fed up and beyond frustrated with the ongoing delays in our airports. New Democrats are once again calling on Minister Alghabra and the Liberals to address air passenger delays by improving working conditions for security screeners.  

For months, airport workers have been speaking out against unacceptable working conditions. They’ve been missing breaks, putting in extensive overtime, and working short-handed while dealing with the chaos in our airports. This has led members of the United Steelworkers Union to start job action at 42 airports across Canada to get the improved working conditions they deserve. 

Canadians are angry that after months of airport delays, so little has changed. Screening officers are working in exceptionally challenging conditions on the front lines of the airport crisis and have received no real support from the Liberals. This is only adding to the delays Canadian travellers are facing.

Over the summer, the Liberals allowed CATSA to use federal money to incentivize workers not to take sick time or book vacations. 

CATSA jobs were once sought-after positions, but the Liberals contracting out has allowed these workers to fall behind. If the Liberal government doesn’t improve working conditions, delays at our airports will only continue.  

The minister has admitted the situation in our airports is unacceptable but has not taken the steps needed to fix it. New Democrats have been clear: the government needs to staff airports appropriately and treat workers fairly. We will keep urging the Liberals to work with CATSA to improve working conditions in our airports and fix these delays.”