Air Canada strike would significantly disrupt supply chains, business groups warn
Business groups have expressed “deep concern” over the looming pilot strike at Air Canada, which they said would significantly disrupt Canada’s supply chain.
A labour disruption would not only affect the thousands of passengers the airline flies daily but also its cargo operations, Air Canada has said.
In response, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce wrote to federal labour minister Steven MacKinnon on Wednesday, warning of the impact this would have on businesses’ ability to deliver goods to market on time.
“The potential for a labour disruption is alarming, given the wide-reaching implications it would have on Canadians, the nation’s economy, supply chains and our global reputation,” said the letter signed by 41 business groups and 53 local chambers of commerce.
Signatories include the Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters, Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Retail Council of Canada, along with various industry associations, representing companies in the resource, energy, retail, and food sectors.
The groups say the impact of a labour disruption at Air Canada will ripple throughout the economy, affecting Canadian consumers, employees and businesses.
Air Canada’s cargo network is important for the import and export of critical, time-sensitive goods, they said. These range from vaccines and medical supplies to agriculture and perishable food products; parts and machinery for small- and medium- sized manufacturers. The letter also emphasized that Air Canada Cargo is responsible for shipping radioactive isotopes both domestically and internationally. The isotopes have a 48-hour lifespan and are crucial in treating cancer patients.
“A disruption in this service, however short, would be devastating,” the
Read more on financialpost.com
