Air Traffic Controllers Ratify Agreement

OTTAWA - CATCA - CAW Local 5454 announced that its members had voted 88% in favour of a contract settlement reached last month with NAV Canada, 90% of the membership cast ballots. The new contract, which runs until March 31, 2011, provides a cumulative salary increase of 4.5% by October 2010; a new weekend premium; a new pay out for sick leave upon retirement, besides other improvements. Negotiations for a new agreement began last December with 5 weeks of meetings. The tentative agreement was reached on Sunday March 29th two days before the deadline.

Local Union president Greg Myles expressed his satisfaction with the outcome. "Reaching this agreement before the deadline is a first for our union and our company," said Myles. "The endorsement by our membership confirms that free collective bargaining is the right solution. To get a quality agreement in today's environment and on time speaks volumes for the dedication and creativity of both teams and bodes well for the future." CATCA represents over 2,100 of Canada's Air Traffic Controllers, licensed professionals responsible for the safe takeoff, landing, and in-flight separation of all aircraft flying in and around Canada.