By Jim Selby, AFL Staff

[Edmonton] On December 18, 2000, workers for Airport Terminal Services (ATS) at the Edmonton International Airport were forced out on the picket line. Although the thirty-one worker, members of the International Association of Machinists (IAM), were close to a first collective agreement with the previous owner, CanCom Aviation, that all went out the window when the St. Louis, Missouri based ATS took over.

"This company does a lot of its business in right-to-work states," said Machinists spokesperson Mike Clegg. "They told us that they wanted to scrap everything that had been agreed to in the bargaining process and start with a whole new set of conditions. They haven’t spoken to us since."

Clegg stressed the importance of this strike to all airport workers. "Other airport services companies are in trouble if ATS wins this dispute," said Clegg.

Of the 40 employees, 31 are picketing, and 9 have crossed the line. Because of its small numbers, the union is having trouble setting up an effective picket line. "Right now, we can only picket from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm – the company’s prime time," said Clegg. "We could really use some picket line support from the rest of the labour movement."

Alberta Federation of Labour President Audrey Cormack agrees. "I know its tough to get bodies out on workday afternoons," said Cormack, "but we simply can’t stand by and let an American firm from a right-to-work state beat up on Canadian trade unionists. The Federation will be doing everything it can to support these workers."