(January 18, 2022) – David Brazil, PC Official Opposition Leader and MHA for Conception Bay East-Bell Island, says it’s unbelievable the provincial and federal governments have allowed the labour dispute at St. John’s International Airport to effectively shut down operations at the airport, effective 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening.

“What could be a more essential service than the capital city’s international airport? Yet the Furey government and Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan’s inaction have allowed the situation before us to unfold,” said Brazil.

“With a situation this conflicted, it’s incumbent upon the province and the federal government to step in as mediators and allow both parties to come to a reasonable resolution. For the Premier and Minister to sit on their hands in the face of this dispute is unacceptable.”

Fire Hall staffing remains the subject an ongoing dispute between airport management and the union. Brazil says both parties need to come back to the table and come to a satisfactory resolution to allow the essential services provided through the airport to continue.

“In the midst of a public health emergency, with so many goods, services and essential staff travelling by air, there is a failure of leadership in government to allow the situation to get this far,” said Brazil.

“It’s time for some leadership on this critical issue.”

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca