Tuesday August 5, 2014
For Immediate Release
Trenton, ON – Back under the IAM umbrella, the members of Local Lodge 717T have ratified their first collective agreement with L3 Mas (Military Air Service) Canada Limited.
The 41 members are responsible for the repair and maintenance of the five CC-150 Polaris Air Transport Aircraft belonging to 437 Squadron, #8 Air Transport Wing based at CFB Trenton. Those members who were originally IAM members employed by Air Canada were given the opportunity to transfer to AVEOS when that Aircraft Maintenance Repair and Overhaul service provider purchased Air Canada’s Heavy Maintenance Component in 2011.
However in March 2012, AVEOS folded and the members found themselves without work and without a union. The Polaris contract was picked up by L3 Mas but the workers had no union representation. “For almost two years these people, joined now by a number of ex-military and civilian employees alike, had no collective agreement, no grievance procedure and essentially no rights,” explained IAM Grand Lodge Representative Bill Shipman. “We already represented workers at L3 MAS in Montreal and these members liked what they saw and came back into the fold. We’re very happy to have them and they’re very pleased with their first collective agreement.”
The five-year agreement provides wage increases of 2.15 per cent in the first year, 2.25 per cent in the second year, 2.35 per cent in the third year, 2.5 per cent in the fourth year and 3 per cent in the fifth year. The average unit wage rate is $29.11/hour.
Although the 41 members have line maintenance duties similar to those by other LAT’s at various airlines across the country, there is one subtle difference. Being under contract to the Royal Canadian Air Force, they fly with the aircraft wherever it goes. Three of the aircraft are configured for full cargo or full passenger service including the Prime Minister’s VIP aircraft, the remaining two aircraft have been modified as Multi Role Tanker Transports or aerial refueling tankers. Each aircraft has 75 different interior pallet or components to meet the variety of configurations. The members have to know how to change and maintain all of these components at a moments notice.
-30-
For further information:
Bill Shipman – IAM Grand Lodge Representative
705-875-7206
Bill Trbovich – IAM Director of Communications
416386-1789 Ext #6331/416-735-9765