We saw the recent letter addressed to you by AMFA’s U.S. National President.
We find it strange that he was just now introducing himself mid-way through your representation vote.
This is AMFA’s latest attempt at a charm offensive – and just like a snake oil salesman, they’re telling you everything you want to hear, without mentioning what’s really at stake for you and your family.
Meanwhile, AMFA as a whole is missing in action throughout this entire process – sitting on the sidelines while asking you from afar to gamble away your futures.
All talk. Nothing to back it up.
Besides being riddled with falsehoods, what’s most telling is what AMFA’s American President doesn’t mention in his letter. He didn’t bother to address the issues that most affect your pocket book.
There’s a reason – the facts aren’t on their side.
- AMFA didn’t mention your pension.
- FACT: Switching to AMFA means Air Canada Tech Ops hired after 2012 will lose their pension.
- AMFA didn’t mention outsourcing.
- FACT: AMFA just negotiated a contract with WestJet that gives the carrier full authority to outsource jobs. AMFA has allowed thousands of tech op jobs to be outsourced at United, Northwest, and more.
- AMFA didn’t mention the Share Trust.
- FACT: The IAM Union exclusively holds more than $93 million in Air Canada stock that will be paid out ONLY to IAM Union members. For some members, the payment will be over $100,000.
As voting continues through this Saturday, May 31, please make your decision using the facts. Your livelihoods and your futures are at stake.
Let’s win better wages, benefits, and working conditions for all of our members in upcoming negotiations with Air Canada. Vote IAM Union.
In solidarity,
David Chartrand
IAM Canadian General Vice-President
DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE: “AMFA IS MIA”
THIS VOTE IS CRITICAL FOR YOUR FUTURE!
This is not only about representation. It is about your job, your security, and your retirement.
Our members are reaching out and telling us they are scared for their future. Worried about their jobs being outsourced, worried about AMFA’s ability to service, worried about losing critical years in their retirement savings planning without a real plan – just promises.
And their concerns go deeper.
Not one AMFA staff member has shown up.
Not at meetings.
Not even in the parking lot.
If they can’t show up now, when it matters most, when will they?
Our members are worried that their voices will not be heard as they are now the minority in a larger group.
Ensure you vote for a Union that delivers!
Ensure you vote for a Union that is present!
Ensure you vote for a Union that protects all workers!
VOTE FOR YOUR FUTURE. VOTE IAM!
Voting period ends Saturday May 31st, 2025
DOWNLOAD “AMFA DOESN’T SHOW UP FOR YOU” BROCHURE
IMPORTANT VOTING INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED
What are you willing to lose?
YOUR PENSION: IAM has two pension plans for members of Air Canada depending on when you started with the Company. AMFA does not have a multi employer plan and there are ZERO guarantees that AMFA will not give up or be able to maintain the Defined Benefit through negotiations. For those hired prior to 2012, IAM has a 55 + 25 Years of Service pension plan which has the lowest retirement age amongst the other work groups at Air Canada. Are you willing to gamble on your retirement?
SHARE TRUST: IAM Union holds more than $93 million in Air Canada stock from a 2012 agreement with the carrier. The shares are held exclusively by the IAM with the purpose of paying out in lump sums to IAM members at Air Canada. For some members, the lump sum payment would be over $100,000.
Are you willing to throw that money down the drain?
OUTSOURCING: AMFA just negotiated a contract with WestJet that allows management to outsource “to the extent necessary to protect the company’s schedule and operations dues to circumstances beyond the company’s control.” This gives the company the full authority to outsource your job.
Are you prepared to lose your job to outsourcing?
LACK OF EXPERIENCE: AMFA has NO experience representing members or negotiating contracts with Air Canada while IAM Union has decades of experience with Air Canada and is the largest air transport union in North America. We will go to the bargaining table in 2026 with thousands of Air Canada workers united, while AMFA will be standing alone with no allies and no experience.
DON’T LOSE REAL REPRESENTATION.
STAY IN THE FIGHT. STAY WITH THE IAM UNION!
DOWNLOAD BROCHURE: What are You Willing to Lose?
DOWNLOAD BROCHURE: Are You Willing to Lose Your Pension?
DOWNLOAD BROCHURE: Are You Willing to Lose Your Job to Outsourcing?
GVP letter: Questions to ask yourself
Dear IAM Member,
As you know, there will be an upcoming certification vote for you to decide whether you will remain an IAM Union member. This vote will take place online so you can vote without fear of reprisal and your vote will remain confidential. I am asking you to consider this: What is AMFA going to do for you?
• Does AMFA have the infrastructure to fight an evil, well-oiled machine in Air Canada?
• Does AMFA have a Pension Plan?
• Am I going to be a second-class citizen at AMFA?
• Am I leaving money on the table?
• Will AMFA protect my job when they have a history of outsourcing?
As we approach an important negotiation period with Air Canada, I’m reaching out to stress the critical importance of standing united under the IAM banner. Our strength as IAM members comes from our unity, collective voice, and shared commitment to supporting one another.
Our upcoming negotiations with Air Canada are a crucial opportunity to secure better wages, benefits, and working conditions for all of our members. The IAM has represented airline employees for decades, and we’ve built a strong foundation of support and experience in fighting for what’s fair. Dividing our membership now could disrupt our momentum and undermine the leverage we need to negotiate effectively.
We are asking that when it comes time to vote – you vote “NO” to AMFA. Let’s remain focused and unified so we can face these negotiations with the full strength of our membership behind us. By staying with IAM, you’re choosing to protect your future and strengthen our collective voice.
In solidarity,
David Chartrand
IAM Canadian General Vice-President
DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THE LETTER
What are you willing to lose?
In AMFA’s ChatGPT-written release on May 20, 2025, their silence on the Share Trust rang loud and clear.
Like the other Air Canada unions, the IAM was given shares for concessions made in 2012. These shares belong to the IAM. The packages and payouts have been agreed to by all the Air Canada unions, the company, and the Canadian government. We are simply awaiting a final approval from Revenue Canada.
AMFA’s silence on the Share Trust is acknowledging that there is nothing they can do.
For those who qualify for a retirement package or payout of the shared trust… Are you willing to flush away up to one year of salary and/or additional payments?
Don’t let empty promises take money out of your pocket.
When casting your confidential vote, choose a union that protects all workers – not just specific skill sets.
VOTE IAM!
Download Brochure: What are You Willing To Lose?
While Costs Rise, Where is AMFA?
After decades of failure and outsourced jobs in the United States, AMFA is trying to sell the same bad representation in Canada. They say they understand our issues. Yet, AMFA can’t be bothered to speak up against the tariff war on Canada.
Has AMFA issued a single public statement opposing tariffs and rising costs on Canadian workers? Have they done any lobbying against the trade war? Does AMFA even know what issues are important to us as workers?
If AMFA won’t speak up for you now, will they ever?
On the other hand, the IAM has the best job protection language in the industry. The IAM has repeatedly called for an end to all tariffs on Canadian workers, and has been active legislatively on both sides of the border to defend workers from tariffs.
IAM Union: U.S., Canadian Workers Still Waiting to Have Voice in Tariff, Trade Policy
IAM Urges U.S. Senate to Support End to Harmful, Misguided Tariffs on Canada
IAM Union Condemns Trump’s 25% Tariffs on Canada
Tariffs on Canadian Steel and Aluminum Would Be a Gut Punch to Workers
When casting your confidential vote, choose a union that protects all workers.
VOTE IAM!