The first major flight since early last evening to arrive in St. John’s comes in at 8:30 tonight from Halifax.
While a temporary solution has been found at St. John’s International Airport, commercial flights throughout the afternoon are still cancelled. They caution that the solution reached after an all-night bargaining session with the help of media conciliator Barney Dobbin is only a temporary one.
Only smaller and cargo aircraft were able to land at YYT since last night. Gander is being used as an alternate landing location. The airport authority there is asking people who are picking up passengers destined for St. John’s to wait in their vehicles.
The Union of Canadian Transportation Employees, which represents firefighters, is alleging harassment and bullying from the Airport Authority after employees went to them regarding workplace health and safety issues.
Premier Andrew Furey calls the situation critical, and one which has to be resolved. He became aware of the dispute Saturday night and has been working since then to try to find a resolution. He’s calling on all parties to work it out.
He says the airport is too important a link in the supply chain and for rotational workers and others who depend on air transportation to allow the dispute to continue.
The airport is a critical piece of infrastructure that the people of our province rely on. I have been in constant contact with the federal ministers on this labour dispute, and am pleased normal operations are resuming at this time – hoping it quickly reaches a lasting solution. https://t.co/Ot7a5vnWZI
— Andrew Furey (@FureyAndrew) January 19, 2022