Friday November 4, 2016
For Immediate Release
Toronto, ON – “Once again the federal Transport Minister has sent the wrong signals to air transport workers in this country,” explained IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall.
Transport Minister Marc Garneau laid out his new 2030 Transportation strategy to the Montreal Chamber of Commerce Thursday afternoon and it is not good news for the 18,000 IAM members in Canada’s Air Transport Sector. Garneau’s strategy opens the door for to a more free-flow of corporate, non-regulatory harmonization and expanding access for private investment in an already-troubled industry. “This will create a huge negative impact on workers,” said Pickthall.
In referencing the Review of the Canada Transportation Act (also known as the Emerson Report) tabled last February in Parliament, Garneau blatantly ignored the impact of its recommendations on workers, their incomes, terms and conditions of employment and the quality of work. The IAM, the largest union in Canada’s Air Transport Sector, along with other Canadian unions, were not consulted while the report was being prepared. “As a result this report leaves a void by not taking into account the voice of air transport sector workers,” explained Pickthall. The IAM submitted a response to Transport Canada last August addressing these major concerns.
“Changing the foreign ownership rules to allow more competition and more bargain-basement airlines to flourish in Canada WILL set the path to a new cycle of uncertainty and EVEN more precarious working conditions for our members,” Pickthall added.
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For further information:
Stan Pickthall – IAM Canadian General Vice President
416-386-1789 Ext #6323
Bill Trbovich – IAM Director of Communications
416-386-1789 Ext #6331/416-735-9765