FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Machinists Union sends air transport restructuring video message to MP’s and Senators
OTTAWA – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has sent a video message outlining the union’s position on the restructuring of Canada’s air transport industry to Parliament’s MP’s and Senators.
The video — Restructuring Air Transport: the Human Dimension / Le côté humain de la restructuration du transport aérien.– depicts IAM members on the job from coast to coast to coast, and narration outlines the five key points of concern to IAM members. The English and French version are on the same cassette. Each is approximately 6 minutes and 30 seconds in length.
The video makes the point that any air transport restructuring process must address five basic conditions:
Recognize that the entire air transport industry — including airline service providers, regional and other carriers, not just major carriers — must be considered and included in any policy.
Consumers, all Canadians who fly, must be assured of safe, quality service and protection from price gouging.
Service to all communities, particularly smaller communities, must be protected.
he rights of workers across the sector must be protected, involuntary job loss minimized and a program of worker assistance developed; and
There must be effective Canadian control of any restructured air transport industry, and there must be no major transfers of jobs out of Canada.
The video concludes: “While Transport Minister David Collenette has given general assurances that these conditions will be applied to the restructuring process, there are no guarantees. Well intentioned though he may be, they sound like a ‘wish list’.
“The Canadian people and the employees in our air transport industry deserve better from their government.
“The free market alone cannot be allowed to take control and force Canadians to adjust to their way of doing things. It is a government of Canada issue.
“The government and Parliament must act decisively to put the rules governing air transport in place. Members of our union, thousands of other air transport employees, and Canadians from coast to coast to coast are counting on your voice and support to help make this happen.”
-30-
CONTACT: Dave Ritchie: (416) 386-1789
SOURCE: Neville Hamilton (613) 731-6316 (Ottawa Office) (613) 720-4493 (Cell)
