On 14 March 2025, CUPE local 1656 members at the Waterloo International Airport held a rally in front of the Region of Waterloo International airport in Breslau (Ontario) to demand higher wages.

Supply-chain Risk Briefing

Summary On March 14, 2025, CUPE 1656 union members held a peaceful demonstration at Waterloo International Airport in Ontario, Canada, demanding wage increases. Currently classified as a low-grade event with no immediate supply-chain disruptions.

Supply-chain impact

• Air cargo transport: Waterloo International Airport serves as a cargo hub for the Toronto-Hamilton region, so escalation of union conflict could cause delays in central Canada aviation logistics
• Manufacturing connections: Ontario is Canada's manufacturing center, so airport service disruptions could affect transport of time-sensitive cargo such as automotive and machinery parts
• Cross-border logistics: Due to its location near the US-Canada border, prolonged labor disputes could act as a minor bottleneck point in the integrated North American supply chain

Watch points

• Progress in union negotiations and announcement of additional strike action plans
• Changes in cargo diversion patterns to nearby major airports such as Toronto Pearson Airport
• Potential for solidarity actions by other transportation and logistics sector unions under CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees)