Canada's labour minister Claudette Bradshaw has appointed Bruce Outhouse, a well-known Halifax lawyer, as special mediator in the dispute between Air Canada and its pilots' union.
A prominent labour relations practitioner, Outhouse is charged with helping to end the long-running dispute between the two groups.
He was called upon by Bradshaw to mediate the talks after Air Canada and the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA), representing the carrier's 2,200 pilots, indicated they were unable to agree on a suitable arbitrator.
The labour minister is now urging both parties to work very closely with Outhouse in discussing options that would lead to a negotiated settlement.
Bradshaw appointed the special mediator on condition that both parties continue normal operations and that neither party exercise its right to strike or lockout during the mediation process.
Source: Flight Daily News
