The Union of Canadian Transportation Employees confirms slowdowns at St. John’s International Airport and is blaming airport management for chronic staffing shortages.

The UCTE is blaming action taken by the St. John’s International Airport Authority for what it calls a staffing “crisis.”

The union is accusing airport management of a “campaign of harassment and discrimination aimed at firefighters.” The union claims that safety and regulatory compliance concerns raised by firefighters for a chronic staffing shortage at the airport. Regional Vice President of the UCTE, Chris Bussey says several airport firefighters have had to seek medical attention for the damage caused by a harassment complaint made in what he calls a “toxic workplace.”

In a statement released early this afternoon, the St. John’s International Airport Authority didn’t address the specific claims made by the union. Instead, the airport said they’re unable to staff the fire hall at regulatory-required staffing levels to maintain normal airport operations due to “staffing absences.”

The statement said as a result there’s “a potential” for disruption to flights.

The airport noted it’s responsible for providing a safe environment for passengers, airline partners and stakeholders, adding the airport continues to operate safely according to its regulatory requirements.

Meantime, passengers are advised to confirm upcoming travel plans directly with their airline as the airport works through the issue on a priority basis.

The UCTE claims there have been multiple incidents of safety violations at the airport and when employees raised the concerns to management, they were told to “shut up and keep working.” As a result complaints have been filed, which according to the union have been upheld by an outside investigator.

Bussey is calling on airport management to sit down with the union to develop a “mutually agreeable solution” to the situation, and is asking that Transport Canada investigate every safety-related complaint members have brought forward to the airport.

Spoke to Minister @OmarAlghabra last night on the situation at St. John�s Airport. Transport Canada is working hard for the continued and safe operation of the airport. We�re on top of it.

— Seamus O’Regan Jr (@SeamusORegan) January 17, 2022

MP Seamus O’Regan is assuring the public that the federal government is on top of the situation.

O’Regan says he spoke with Transport Minister Omar Alghabra last night to discuss the situation at St. John’s International.

The federal energy minister tweeted out this morning that Transport Canada is “working hard” for the continued and safe operation of the airport.