Porter to close crew bases in Halifax and Thunder Bay

OTTAWA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CUPE 4061, the union representing over 1,250 cabin crew at Porter Airlines, is deeply disappointed and disheartened by the announcement that Porter Airlines will close its crew bases in Halifax and Thunder Bay, a decision that will greatly impact approximately 60 cabin crew that work at those two bases.

Porter has indicated that they have positions for all impacted CUPE members at Toronto City Airport or Ottawa International Airport. Cabin crew members in the two cities will now have a difficult decision to make: either pay to commute to and from work, up to six hours each day, move across the province or country to transfer bases, choose a voluntary temporary layoff for up to 120 months, or choose the early retirement program. As of May 7, cabin crew members will no longer have positions at Halifax and Thunder Bay bases.

"Halifax and Thunder Bay have been important parts of our Porter network for years and our workforce now has deep roots in both communities and the people we serve," said Sarah Seal, President of CUPE 4061. "This is such disappointing news for our members and their families in these communities who now face an uncertain future."

The union has promised to do everything in its capacity to mitigate the impact of Porter's decision on cabin crew members and their families in the months ahead.