Porter Airlines strike?
Porter Airlines’ aircraft fuel workers could enter a legal strike position as early as Thursday, at 12:01 a.m.
The Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union (COPE), Local 343, and its 22 members, are negotiating a revised contract with Porter Fixed Based Operations Ltd., a subsidiary of Porter Aviation Holdings Inc., reports 680 News.
While union representative Mary Stalteri tells 680 that, it “has been very reasonable in its requests,” Porter Aviation Holdings issued a statement noting it is “disappointed” with the union’s threat of strike or lockout. In the same written statement, the company said flights will not be affected by “any service disruption if a strike or lockout happens.”
Contract talks are expected to resume on Wednesday.
The union is arguing for a wage increase, which it says the employer has refused to negotiate for, saying instead that it offers competitive pay. Still, the Porter FBO union says employees “earn considerably less than the industry average.”
Toronto’s public casino consultations
Casi-NO? Casi-YES? Casi-MAYBE? The City of Toronto will host the first public ‘should we or shouldn’t we’ casino consultation on Wednesday.
Five sessions will be offered in total, around the city, for Torontonians to weigh in on the discussion, and speak with city staff about their decision-making process. The first session open to members of the public will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 9 at the Rotunda in Toronto City Hall, from 6 to 9 p.m. Consultation materials are also available online until Jan. 25, as is a web feedback form.
City council will make the final decision on whether a casino is right for Toronto, but the public consultation and feedback highlights will go into a report for Mayor Rob Ford’s executive committee.
‘Twilight’ rocks the Razzie awards
Kristen Stewart may be the ‘Bella’ of the Razzie awards proverbial ball. The final Twilight installment, Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2, earned 11 Razzie nominations on Wednesday — a famous award that recognizes the worst movies of the year.
BBC News reports it was listed for the ‘top honours’ of worst film, worst sequel and worst on-screen couple, among others. Meanwhile, the Rihanna-starring Battleship picked up seven nominations, and Adam Sandler’s latest, That’s My Boy, earned eight nods.
An Academy Award spoof, the Razzies’ founder, John Wilson, told the BBC that the Twilight finale was their organization‘s final Lord of the Rings, in relation to receiving the institution’s high accolades.
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Joanna Adams writes about news and entertainment for Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter at†@nowstarringTO.
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