CUPE workers at Fort MacMurray International Airport had accepted pay cuts before the upcoming layoffs of custodial staff were announced. According to the CUPE Local 1505, the union that represents custodial workers at the airport. Pay cuts were accepted by the union and it’s members in order to help bring operational expenses under control after the new $258 million terminal. The layoffs are highly controversial in the area, and the company chosen for the new contract to replace the laid off workers is Bill’s General Cleaning. This company has been criticized in the past for their use of temporary foreign workers and many fear that TFWs will be used in replacing the custodial workers at the airport. These concerns have led to protests and vocal complaints, both against the layoffs themselves and against the facility.

If CUPE workers have already agreed to pay cuts previously then Fort MacMurray International Airport should be respectful of this during the negotiations. According to one worker, Darlene Christopher, she took a 10% cut in pay soon after she started her employment with the airport facility. When discussing the situation Christopher said “I actually quit my other job because I was promised so much security and benefits at this job, I have to depend on my kids to try to help me right now. I shouldn’t have to, I should have my job to help me take care of myself.” According to Gil McGowan, president of Alberta Federation of Labour “This is absolutely no way to pay back workers for such intense loyalty. We will have no choice but to implement a very aggressive campaign with implications for both the airport and the municipality. That could include making this an election issue in the next municipal election. We won’t forget this.”