St. John's airport seeks injunction against strikers
CBC News
Posted: Oct 12, 2012 7:17 PM NT
Last Updated: Oct 12, 2012 7:25 PM NT
Picketing workers at St. John's International Airport. (CBC )
Officials at St. John's International Airport say they are fed up with striking workers, and they are accusing the picketers of repeatedly impeding traffic.
About 85 maintenance and emergency staff at the airport have been on strike since Sept. 11. The airport says few if any flights or travellers have been delayed, but picketers have been forcing vehicles involved in construction at the airport to wait for a police escort.
Keith Collins of the St. John's International Airport Authority wants an injunction against striking workers. (CBC )The airport authority said the strikers' actions are against the law, and on Friday a lawyer representing the airport sought a court injunction to limit traffic delays at the picket line.
"They do have a legal right to set up picket lines and to pass information," said Keith Collins, president and CEO of the St. John's International Airport Authority. "But it is not legal to impede traffic of any sort, in any way, at any time, for any period of time, whether it be 30 seconds or 30 minutes."
Picketing 'reasonable', says union rep
"We've been really reasonable with regards to our picketing. We've been operating a legal picket line since we've been here," said Chris Bussey, the local president of the union representing the striking workers.
'I think we've operated a fairly tame legal picket line.'—Chris Bussey, union negotiator
"From my view I think we've operated a fairly tame legal picket line."
Airport officials said their surveillance video shows delays caused by the picketers are ramping up, particularly around construction equipment.
"We've tolerated some delays, but it's now time to ask for the court's assistance to control behaviour that is clearly illegal," said Collins.
Judge delays injunction
The airport's lawyer went to court on Friday armed with affidavits and DVDs to seek the injunction.
However, the union's lawyer argued that workers are on a legal strike and essential services are in place, so there was no emergency.
The judge has agreed to hear arguments from both the airport authority and the union again on Oct. 17.
Share Tools
Latest Nfld. & Labrador News Headlines
- Gushue | Why the loss of Ray Guy has meant so much
- Ray Guy often spared no mercy in skewering his political subjects, but the man himself was altogether different, writes John Gushue. more »
- Police investigating vehicle accident near Lewisporte
- RCMP are investigating a single-vehicle accident that happened early on Saturday morning on Rte. 340 near Michael's Harbour. more »
- Provincial historic sites open for summer season
- Ten provincial historic sites in Newfoundland and Labrador will open their doors to the public on Saturday, beginning the 2013 summer tourist season. more »
- Police recover stolen dirt bike, arrest made
- RCMP in Trinity-Conception have made an arrest in connection with a stolen dirt bike from the Bristol's Hope area. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Spectator killed at Edmonton Jeep event
- A 20-year-old woman died Saturday during an event for Jeep enthusiasts held in a parking lot just west of downtown Edmonton. more »
- Rescue attempt over for New Brunswick fishermen
- The rescue attempt for two missing fishermen has been called off in New Brunswick, hours after one body was found. more »
- Astronaut Chris Hadfield adjusts to 'earthling' life
- Canada's space ambassador, Chris Hadfield, is still readapting to life on this planet after spending 146 days in zero gravity as commander of the International Space Station. For now, though, he's taking his homecoming one step at a time. more »
- Afghan legislators block law protecting women
- An Afghan legislator says conservative lawmakers have blocked approval of a law that aims to protect women's freedoms, saying parts of it violate Islamic principles. more »
- Fracking may jeopardize Gros Morne UNESCO status
- Inmates accused of planning escape from Waterford
- Gushue | Why the loss of Ray Guy has meant so much
- Last video store in Happy Valley-Goose Bay closes
- Police recover stolen dirt bike, arrest made
- Police can keep material seized in Heavyweights searches
- Police investigating vehicle accident near Lewisporte
- Gros Morne fracking issue causing significant reaction
- Flooding warning issued in Deer Lake
