St. John’s International Airport resumed normal operations Wednesday morning after a staffing issue at its fire hall prevented most passenger flights from landing or taking off.
St. John’s International Airport resumed normal operations Wednesday morning after staffing issues at its fire hall prevented many passenger flights from landing or taking off.
But the solution is temporary and a permanent fix is still in the making, leaving things up in the air for the remainder of the week.
Six of the nine firefighters employed at the airport have gone on leave due to concerns over what they call a toxic workplace. The union representing the firefighters blames airport management.
In a statement on Wednesday night, the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE) said it met with a federal mediator and airport management “all day” on Wednesday, and “is willing to stay at the table as long as necessary to try and resolve the issues.”
Though the airport did take flights on Wednesday, management said the “solution is not permanent.” With staffing levels so low, most commercial passenger service at the airport was suspended Tuesday evening, leading to eight flight cancellations.
Two union firefighters took shifts on Wednesday, according to Chris Bussey, the Atlantic vice-president for the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees, as the mediation took place.
Bussey said neither firefighter is among those who have taken leave, and they’re only covering off Wednesday’s schedule.
“The issues that have resulted in the suspension of operations at the airport are not new,” the union’s Wednesday night statement said. “Instead of taking positive steps towards addressing the harm, the employer tried to do the bare minimum.”
Bussey said two firefighters on shift is the minimum number needed for staffing the airport, but his union argues that number is actually low for an airport the size of St. John’s International.
Solutions available, says airport CEO
St. John’s International Airport CEO Peter Avery spoke with the media Wednesday afternoon, and said the firefighters on shift will work until 8 a.m. Thursday morning, at which time additional resources will be needed to relieve them.
Avery said the fate of operations on Thursday is unknown.
“We have every available resource working on ways to resolve this issue,” Avery said, noting there’s significant focus on addressing the fire staff’s previous concerns including changes being made after an independent investigator filed a report on workplace complaints.
“A safe and secure working environment is absolutely essential, and we will ensure that that is what we will provide,” he said.
Avery said the report will not be made public, citing privacy, and there’s zero tolerance for a toxic work environment.
The UCTE alleges that airport management haven’t “addressed the result of the investigation directly with the impacted firefighters.”
The airport is working closely with Transport Canada to source additional firefighters locally, nationally and internationally to keep the essential service running, Avery said.
He said he believes firefighters are available if needed, but wants the union’s support in bringing them to St. John’s. He said Thursday’s travel plans hinge largely on finding additional firefighters.
“We believe there are solutions, but we need the union’s support,” Avery said.
Fluid situation
Shortly before the news broke of the airport’s operations temporarily resuming on Wednesday, Premier Andrew Furey told CBC News there were plans to divert some flights to Gander, about 330 kilometres away from St. John’s.
Reg Wright, CEO of the Gander International Airport Authority, said his airport was asked to accommodate five flights on Wednesday — three from Air Canada and two from PAL Airlines. He said there has been no further discussion on what the rest of the week could look like.
“If it does extend, we’re fully prepared to play a role in getting people home. But I don’t imagine it will be long,” Wright said.
In a statement to CBC News, WestJet said its operations are set to resume in St. John’s on Thursday, with flight 3428 from Halifax landing in St. John’s shortly after 10 a.m.
As for getting those passengers to St. John’s from Gander on Wednesday, Wright said the airlines will have those details, but added there will likely be a bus.
For passengers, the temporary fix on Wednesday still leaves their plans under a cloud of uncertainty.
Maggie Brown-Bury, a veterinarian from St. John’s currently working in Labrador City, is supposed to return home on Saturday. Regardless of the temporary solution announced on Wednesday, Brown-Bury said, she’s still a little worried for her travel plans.
“It’s not clear that this temporary solution is going to be something that can work long-term,” Brown-Bury told CBC News on Wednesday afternoon. “And how long is it going to take them to get to a resolution?”
Brown-Bury said she’s understanding of the situation, but isn’t convinced her ride home will materialize until she’s sitting in her seat.
Airport under federal jurisdiction
Furey said the provincial government became aware of the deteriorating staffing situation late Saturday night, and he called federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra on Sunday, since the airport is under federal jurisdiction.
Furey said the provincial Department of Tourism has been in contact with airlines.
Meanwhile, in a statement released late Tuesday night, Alghabra called the consequences of the staffing issues “completely unacceptable.”
He said the union and the airport “must take any necessary steps to find a solution that will keep operations ongoing and safe.”
Alghabra said the department will continue to monitor the situation.
With files from the St. John’s Morning Show
St. John’s International Airport resumed normal operations Wednesday morning after a staffing issue at its fire hall prevented most passenger flights from landing or taking off.Only cargo, medevac flights and planes with fewer than 19 seats could land at or depart from St. John’s International Airport, pictured here, as of Tuesday, while Air Canada cancelled eight commercial flights Tuesday evening. All passenger flights resumed on Wednesday. (CBC)St. John’s International Airport resumed normal operations Wednesday morning after staffing issues at its fire hall prevented many passenger flights from landing or taking off. But the solution is temporary and a permanent fix is still in the making, leaving things up in the air for the remainder of the week. Six of the nine firefighters employed at the airport have gone on leave due to concerns over what they call a toxic workplace. The union representing the firefighters blames airport management. In a statement on Wednesday night, the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE) said it met with a federal mediator and airport management “all day” on Wednesday, and “is willing to stay at the table as long as necessary to try and resolve the issues.” Though the airport did take flights on Wednesday, management said the “solution is not permanent.” With staffing levels so low, most commercial passenger service at the airport was suspended Tuesday evening, leading to eight flight cancellations. Two union firefighters took shifts on Wednesday, according to Chris Bussey, the Atlantic vice-president for the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees, as the mediation took place. Bussey said neither firefighter is among those who have taken leave, and they’re only covering off Wednesday’s schedule. “The issues that have resulted in the suspension of operations at the airport are not new,” the union’s Wednesday night statement said. “Instead of taking positive steps towards addressing the harm, the employer tried to do the bare minimum.” Bussey said two firefighters on shift is the minimum number needed for staffing the airport, but his union argues that number is actually low for an airport the size of St. John’s International. Solutions available, says airport CEO St. John’s International Airport CEO Peter Avery spoke with the media Wednesday afternoon, and said the firefighters on shift will work until 8 a.m. Thursday morning, at which time additional resources will be needed to relieve them. Avery said the fate of operations on Thursday is unknown. “We have every available resource working on ways to resolve this issue,” Avery said, noting there’s significant focus on addressing the fire staff’s previous concerns including changes being made after an independent investigator filed a report on workplace complaints. “A safe and secure working environment is absolutely essential, and we will ensure that that is what we will provide,” he said. Avery said the report will not be made public, citing privacy, and there’s zero tolerance for a toxic work environment. The UCTE alleges that airport management haven’t “addressed the result of the investigation directly with the impacted firefighters.” Peter Avery, CEO of the St. John’s International Airport Authority, says he needs the union’s support in bringing in additional firefighters. (Eddy Kennedy/CBC) The airport is working closely with Transport Canada to source additional firefighters locally, nationally and internationally to keep the essential service running, Avery said. He said he believes firefighters are available if needed, but wants the union’s support in bringing them to St. John’s. He said Thursday’s travel plans hinge largely on finding additional firefighters. “We believe there are solutions, but we need the union’s support,” Avery said. Fluid situation Shortly before the news broke of the airport’s operations temporarily resuming on Wednesday, Premier Andrew Furey told CBC News there were plans to divert some flights to Gander, about 330 kilometres away from St. John’s. Reg Wright, CEO of the Gander International Airport Authority, said his airport was asked to accommodate five flights on Wednesday — three from Air Canada and two from PAL Airlines. He said there has been no further discussion on what the rest of the week could look like. “If it does extend, we’re fully prepared to play a role in getting people home. But I don’t imagine it will be long,” Wright said. In a statement to CBC News, WestJet said its operations are set to resume in St. John’s on Thursday, with flight 3428 from Halifax landing in St. John’s shortly after 10 a.m. As for getting those passengers to St. John’s from Gander on Wednesday, Wright said the airlines will have those details, but added there will likely be a bus. Maggie Brown-Bury, a veterinarian from St. John’s, is hoping her plans to return home from Labrador City on Saturday are still going ahead. (Meg Roberts/CBC) For passengers, the temporary fix on Wednesday still leaves their plans under a cloud of uncertainty. Maggie Brown-Bury, a veterinarian from St. John’s currently working in Labrador City, is supposed to return home on Saturday. Regardless of the temporary solution announced on Wednesday, Brown-Bury said, she’s still a little worried for her travel plans. “It’s not clear that this temporary solution is going to be something that can work long-term,” Brown-Bury told CBC News on Wednesday afternoon. “And how long is it going to take them to get to a resolution?” Brown-Bury said she’s understanding of the situation, but isn’t convinced her ride home will materialize until she’s sitting in her seat. Airport under federal jurisdiction Furey said the provincial government became aware of the deteriorating staffing situation late Saturday night, and he called federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra on Sunday, since the airport is under federal jurisdiction. Furey said the provincial Department of Tourism has been in contact with airlines. Meanwhile, in a statement released late Tuesday night, Alghabra called the consequences of the staffing issues “completely unacceptable.” He said the union and the airport “must take any necessary steps to find a solution that will keep operations ongoing and safe.” Alghabra said the department will continue to monitor the situation. Read more stories from CBC Newfoundland and LabradorWith files from the St. John’s Morning Show