Labor dispute disrupts flights at Toronto airport

TORONTO (Reuters) - A sudden labor disruption by workers who refuel planes at Toronto's main airport caused flight delays and cancellations on Friday, said the union that represents the workers, as the city prepared for the start of the Pan American Games on July 10.

In a bulletin posted online, Pearson International Airport said a labor dispute could disrupt flights. By 9:55 a.m., its website showed 21 delayed and 30 canceled departures for a range of airlines. It was not clear how many were routine, and how many were caused by the dispute.

International Association of Machinists spokesman Bill Trbovich said members of Lodge 2413 were involved, but the union had not sanctioned the job action.

Trbovich said that to the best of his knowledge, some employees were not going to work, and others were refusing overtime. Some 250 employees of Consolidated Aviation Fueling are set to lose their jobs in the autumn as Air Canada and other airlines switch fuel providers, he said.

"This is not a labor disruption between the airlines and their fueling company," said Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick.

"This is a labor disruption at Consolidated Aviation Fueling Services which is affecting all airlines at Pearson."

Air Canada is switching its Toronto and Montreal fuel providers from Consolidated Aviation to ASIG in Toronto, effective Oct. 1, and to Swissport in Montreal, effective July 1.

Consolidated Aviation, owned by closely held Allied Aviation, could not immediately be reached for comment.