A sad day for Canadian Aerospace

A sad day for Canadian Aerospace

A sad day for Canadian Aerospace

Bombardier announces 2,500 layoffs in Québec

Montréal, QC – “This comes as a complete shock and surprise to the IAM, we had no prior knowledge of this action,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall regarding Bombardier announcement today of 5,000 layoffs worldwide including 2,500 in Québec.

“The biggest frustration is that once again Bombardier has announced major cuts just before Christmas with very few details,” explained IAM Québec Coordinator David Chartrand. “Just who is impacted by these layoffs, we have almost 20,000 people in Québec working for Bombardier and that’s 20,000 people with question marks in their mind. This is unfortunate and distressing. This is not the way to improve relations between employer and employee.”

The layoffs are part of restructuring by Bombardier which includes selling their Q 400 Turboprop aircraft program, and its business aircraft flight and technical training unit to Montréal based CAE. Bombardier says the measures will result in $250 million in annual savings.

With little in the way of exact details regarding the layoffs, IAM members can take solace in a reciprocal agreement between Bombardier and C-Series/Airbus consortium. “The IAM had great foresight in negotiating this agreement which permits our members with bargaining rights to transfer their employment between Bombardier and Airbus where we represent the workers,” explained IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall. “While this announcement comes as a complete surprise, this agreement provides our members with better protection than others impacted by the layoffs.”

“The move is mystifying because Bombardier is hiring in some programs and the aerospace industry is suffering a lack of manpower,” explained Chartrand. With forecasts of 30,000 jobs needed in the next seven years in the aerospace industry Chartrand is not too worried but he has questions. “Where is Bombardier going with their commercial program? They seem to be getting rid of their commercial series. Given the massive subsidies Bombardier gets from the provincial and federal governments, certain guarantees to maintain jobs for a certain number of years should have been included.”

It is not known what impact this announcement will have on the next round of collective bargaining between the IAM and Bombardier which is slated to begin within a few weeks. “We will be pushing hard on the Union’s agenda and will be working with our members to preserve employment and build strong middle class careers in this sector,” said Pickthall.

Canada’s unions applaud asbestos ban regulations

 

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Canada’s unions applaud the federal government for introducing regulations to ban the import, export, manufacture, sale and use of asbestos and asbestos-containing products. The regulations, announced in December 2016 will come into force on December 30, 2018.

“This is a critical step on the long road to banning asbestos, and will, without a doubt, save lives for generations to come,” said Canadian Labour Congress President, Hassan Yussuff.

The new regulations, under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 (CEPA), prohibit the import, sale and use of asbestos, the manufacture, import, sale and use of products containing asbestos, as well as the export of asbestos and asbestos-containing products, with a limited number of exceptions. Combined, this is a historic step to protect the health of Canadian workers and the public, and to address Canada’s history as an exporter of this deadly substance. With these regulations, Canada now joins 55 countries that have banned the use of asbestos.

Yussuff said that it will be crucial for protection from exposure to extend to everyone living in Canada, including those living in First Nations housing filled with asbestos-ridden vermiculite insulation.

“Because these diseases have a long latency period, the danger is not over, but this is the beginning of the end. Now we need the provinces and territories to show the same leadership that the federal government has shown and move quickly to take stock of where asbestos is, harmonize regulation around disposal and remediation, and ensure a comprehensive response,” he said.

“We can all breathe easier. The introduction of these regulations in a timely manner is the result of years of advocacy and hard work by people dedicated to safer, healthier workplaces. Today, I celebrate and thank the government for giving the next generation of Canadians a better future, free from the pain and suffering caused by asbestos,” said Yussuff.

A robust enforcement strategy to ensure compliance with these new regulations will be important to a successful implementation and to addressing the legacy of asbestos-contaminated workplaces.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the federal government on the broader whole-of-government strategy to protect Canadians from the harms of asbestos,” added Yussuff.

Need for respect brings passenger agents to IAM

Need for respect brings passenger agents to IAM

Need for respect brings passenger agents to IAM

Tuesday May 29, 2018

 

For Immediate Release

 

Calgary, AB – “These people had very simple needs, respect in the workplace and someone to give them a voice and they chose the IAM and we’re happy they did,” explains IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 General Chairperson Keith Aiken.

Two weeks ago, the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) ordered a representational vote for the passenger service agents working for ATS at the Calgary Airport. The representational vote took place Monday May 28, 2018 and the IAM won the certification for 103 new IAM members.

“Organizing these types of servicing groups is difficult due to the high attrition rate,” explained IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 President and Directing General Chairperson Fred Hospes. “To organize in the province of Alberta makes these types of campaigns even more difficult. As such, this is really as big win for the IAM.”

“We had to dispel statements by the employer that workers would lose pay and their seniority if they joined the union,” said Aiken. “Our organizing team here jumped on that immediately assuring the workers this wasn’t true. They have been doing a wicked job for the IAM.”

This is the second group at ATS the IAM has organized within the last year. Fourteen Special Service Agents joined the IAM last November and have ratified their first collective agreement in April 2018.

The 103 passenger service agents provide check in and lost baggage services for United Airlines, Air Transat, Delta and KLM at Calgary International Airport.

The IAM is the largest union in Canada’s air transport sector.

 

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For further information:
Keith Aiken – IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 General Chairperson/Organizer
403-250-3708/403-921-8140
Bill Trbovich – IAM Director of Communications
416-386-1789 Ext #31/416-735-9765

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