Firefighters – Union of Canadian Transportation Employees

World Water Day and Public Services

UCTE members work on and with water from coast to coast to coast. In fact, a great many public-service workers – in UCTE and beyond – spend their days ensuring water cleanliness, stability, or otherwise dealing with water and its...

March 22, 2025

January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month

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January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month

Our membership includes cancer survivors, and sadly our members have lost co-workers to cancer.We’re observing Firefighters’ Cancer Awareness Month in Canada for the second time.A national framework on cancers linked to firefighting was announced in October 2024, following through in...

January 27, 2025

How do we Regulate Civil Aviation in Canada and the World?

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How do we Regulate Civil Aviation in Canada and the World?

UCTE and ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting) insiders talk about CARs and ICAO, and the important differences. But let’s cut through the jargon: this post explains what those are, and how and when they matter to the travelling public.These are...

January 22, 2025

Gender in the Fire Hall part 2: Femininity, Masculinity, Solidarity

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Gender in the Fire Hall part 2: Femininity, Masculinity, Solidarity

UCTE represents airport firefighters at several Canadian airports. This two-part series looks at the issues dealt with by two of our female firefighter members as they challenge traditional barriers to women in firefighting services. “When I started with the volunteer department,”...

December 17, 2024

Gender in the Fire Hall, part 1: Pioneering Inclusion

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Gender in the Fire Hall, part 1: Pioneering Inclusion

UCTE represents airport firefighters at several Canadian airports. Union activism is a good vehicle for improving equity and inclusion in the workplace. This two-part series looks at the issues dealt with by two of our female firefighter members as they...

December 9, 2024

UCTE Wins Scheduling Case for Firefighter Members

Grievance and Arbitration

UCTE Wins Scheduling Case for Firefighter Members

An arbitration award restores our Local 60605 firefighter members at Moncton airport to their schedules.The grievance, filed in 2022, arose from the employer, Greater Moncton Airport Authority, changing firefighters’ schedules from 18-hour shifts to 12-hour shifts. UCTE and the employer...

November 7, 2024

Shortfalls in Airport Firefighting Regulations can Increase Risk for Air Travelers

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Shortfalls in Airport Firefighting Regulations can Increase Risk for Air Travelers

UCTE: Aviation regulations should be raised to international standardsfor release 10:45 a.m. November 5, 2024New research shows how Canada is not meeting its domestic or international requirements under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), says the Union of Canadian Transportation...

November 5, 2024

Feds are Following up on National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting

Health and safety

Feds are Following up on National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting

Full funding was announced Monday“This is near and dear to my heart’” says YVR Firefighter Jeremy McNulty. “I lost my Lieutenant to cancer last year.” McNulty is devoted to UCTE’s campaign to improve prevention and treatment for our brothers and...

October 8, 2024

A Triumph for Firefighters: Canada’s New Framework for Tackling Firefighting-Related Cancers

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A Triumph for Firefighters: Canada’s New Framework for Tackling Firefighting-Related Cancers

Bill C-224: An Act to establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting was recently assented to and became law on June 22, 2023. Its passage signifies a significant step towards recognizing and addressing the health...

July 18, 2023

Honouring the Fallen While Confronting the Perils of Canadian Wildfires: Understanding the Risks Firefighters Face

Health and safety

Honouring the Fallen While Confronting the Perils of Canadian Wildfires: Understanding the Risks Firefighters Face

We begin this exploration of the dangers facing firefighters in Canada’s wildfire-ravaged landscapes with a heartfelt tribute to two of our bravest, who recently fell in the line of duty. Devyn Gale, a 19-year-old firefighter from Revelstoke, British Columbia, tragically...

July 17, 2023