For Immediate Release
Toronto, ON – “The Harper government is doing nothing about rising oil prices and today it has cost 650 Machinist members their jobs at Air Canada,” said an irate IAMAW Canadian General Vice President Dave Ritchie.
Ritchie was reacting to Air Canada’s announcement that it plans to eliminate 2,000 jobs and reduce its capacity due to higher fuel prices. “The prime minister and his government are sitting on their hands in the middle of a fuel crisis with no plans to offer any relief to the airline industry and our members are paying the price,” said Ritchie.
The Union was informed by the company this morning that 600 IAMAW members at airports across the country and an additional 50 members in cargo operations will be affected. At this point the company has not issued a breakdown by classification of the November 1, 2008 layoffs.
Air Canada will meet in early July with IAMAW District 140 President and Directing General Chair Jim Coller to discuss ways to mitigate this lay off.
-30-
For further information:
Jim Coller – IAMAW District 140 President and Directing General Chair
514-336-3031/514-815-0140
Tony Didoshak – IAMAW District 140 General Chair
204-987-9252/204951-8140
Bill Trbovich – IAMAW Director of Communications
416-386-1789 ext 6331/416-735-9765