Ottawa, ON, Canada– In a historic vote last week, Porter Airlines staff in Ottawa voted to join the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) to improve their working and earning conditions. The ground staff at the Ottawa International Airport became the first Porter Airlines employee group to join a union.

“We are very pleased to welcome our newest members into our growing CUPE airlines family,” said Paul Zamperin, CUPE national representative. “Now our Porter members will have the full range of representation and services that all CUPE members enjoy.”

The 50 new members, comprised of customer service, ramp attendants and operations staff, will join over 10,000 airline workers from Air Canada, Air Transat, Cathay Pacific, Calm Air, CanJet, First Air and Canadian North airlines, who are also represented by CUPE.

“Our union has the experience and expertise to not only protect and advance workers’ rights, but also to help enhance safety andimprove the flight and transportation experience for Canadian consumers in the airline industry,” said Zamperin.

CUPE is Canada’s largest union, with over 600,000 members in different sectors including airlines, transportation, schools, health care, universities, municipalities, social services and other sectors.

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