A police complaint has been filed after a Pascan Aviation executive allegedly drove a vehicle into a group of striking workers gathered outside the company’s Saint-Hubert headquarters on Monday.
According to the union representing Pascan flight attendants, CUPE 5490, about fifteen people were picketing when the incident occurred. The union says it has reported the matter to Longueuil police.
“The strikers were exercising their right to picket peacefully when the car came at full speed and drove towards the parking lot. Fortunately, one of the picketers intervened and was able to keep one of his colleagues away before he was knocked down. It was a close call! There are many witnesses and we strongly denounce this kind of dangerous behaviour,” said Patrick Gloutney, President of CUPE Quebec.
Pascan’s flight attendants have been on an unlimited general strike since Oct. 28. They are seeking improvements to wages, off-base accommodations, work assignments and crew scheduling. Their previous collective agreement expired on July 18.
CUPE 5490 represents 21 members employed by the regional airline, which operates out of Montreal Metropolitan Airport (YHU) and serves destinations including Quebec City, Gaspé, Bonaventure, the Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Saint John and Halifax, in addition to offering charter flights.
“A labour dispute is not easy for anyone. There is no excuse to endanger anyone’s life or health. I hope that senior management will also crack down on this individual whose actions are deplorable,” said Gloutney.
With 143,000 members across Quebec, CUPE represents more than 3,000 workers in the province’s air transport sector, including cabin crew at Air Canada, Rouge, Air Transat, Sunwing and Pascan. Nationally, the union also represents workers at WestJet, Swoop, Encore, Calm Air, First Air, Canadian North, Pivot Airlines, Flair Airlines and PAL Airlines.
