Significant Layoffs ahead at Air Canada

Toronto, ON – There will be significant temporary and permanent job losses for IAMAW members at Air Canada in 2010.
This is a direct result of Transport Canada’s approval of an Air Canada request to lengthen the period between aircraft heavy maintenance checks for theA319 and A320 fleet types. This information was revealed at a recent meeting between representatives of IAMAW District 140 and Technical Operations Shop Committee and Air Canada and Aveos Senior Management in Toronto.
“In light of the sacrifices made by our membership in the most recent round of bargaining to keep Air Canada flying, we think the senior management of Air Canada and Aveos are obligated to act on a number of mitigation initiatives we have presented in order to lessen the impact on our members,” said IAMAW District Lodge 140 President and Directing General Chairperson Chuck Atkinson.
“We have also advised both Air Canada and Aveos that the subcontracting out of any bargaining unit work will not be tolerated when our members are unemployed,” added Atkinson. The IAMAW has also advised both companies that it would consider having a third party Arbitrator implement a protocol to protect bargaining unit work and our jobs.
“Any mention of exact numbers at this point would be premature because we have further talks regarding this issue, scheduled for early January 2010,” said Atkinson.
The IAMAW is the largest unit at Air Canada representing more than 11,000 members.
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