Category Archives: News

IAMAW Canada – Lack of Action in Aviation Sector a “Black Mark on Liberals’ Watch”

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Lack of Action in Aviation Sector a “Black Mark on Liberals’ Watch”

28 January, 2021
For immediate release

Toronto, ON – “It has been a full year since COVID-19 became a reality in Canada, and the Liberal government has stood by and watched this sector slip further into crisis.” Strong words from Political Action Representative Derek Ferguson headlined the IAM presentation to the Federal Transportation Committee.

Today, yet again, the IAM called on the federal government to move urgently on a much-needed plan for the aviation sector. The IAM has repeatedly called for quick and decisive action, but the calls have fallen on deaf ears.

In a brief presented to the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities today, the IAM outlined the challenges and the devastation experienced by the aviation sector.

“As the hardest-hit sector,” continued Ferguson, “Air transportation is expected to experience a slow recovery, as well as a fundamental change. We have been vociferous advocates of support for the industry and encouraged employers to take advantage of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), while acknowledging the gaps in support programs to date. However, it is becoming evident that CEWS alone is not enough as an intervention; direct funding is critical.”

“A recovery is not expected until 2025, and companies in this sector will not survive by raising funds independently. Without timely action and a robust sector-specific strategy, several industries face decimation.”

Across Canada, air passenger capacity is more than 90% down, 28 stations have ceased operations, leading to job losses, and isolation of communities that depend on air service for goods, services, and medical supplies. “How much worse does the situation need to get before the Liberals react; the lack of action is beyond disappointing, it is infuriating,” stated Stan Pickthall, IAM Canadian General Vice-President.

“Canada’s Liberals are miles behind other countries when it comes to support for this crucial sector. Stop dithering and get something done! Canada just observed one year since COVID-19 entered our borders, yet the Federal government continues to ignore air transportation workers and the sector in general!”

In the air transportation sector alone, 10,000 IAM members are currently laid off, but there are numerous others across Canada who are facing economic hardship, if not poverty. If left unchecked, this crisis will affect generations of Canadians. The effect of the crisis in this sector will have far-reaching implications that will take years to rebuild.

The IAM demands the government immediately establish a Sector Council Working Group to implement a program that helps sustain the airlines, including small air carriers. We also propose that the government maintain a domestic and regional air network, as a healthy domestic air network will be the backbone of recovery in this sector.

Without swift action, this sector will be obliterated. Pickthall has a very clear message to the Liberal government: “Mr. Trudeau, the death of Canada’s aviation industry will be a black mark on your watch!”

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) is the leading union in the aerospace sector and air transportation industry. The IAMAW represents over 55,000 members across Canada, of which 22,000 work in the aviation, aerospace and air transportation sector.

Read the IAM Brief to the Federal Transportation Committee (PDF)

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For more information:
Derek Ferguson, IAM Political Action Coordinator dferguson@iamaw.org
Stan Pickthall, Canadian General Vice-President spickthall@iamaw.org
Frank Saptel, Communications fsaptel@iamaw.org

Télécharger (PDF, 721KB)

IAMAW Canada – Canada Applauds Newsletter, Website and Social Media Award-Winners 2020

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Canada Applauds Newsletter, Website and Social Media Award-Winners 2020

   

The IAM Communications department annually presents awards to those Districts and Locals that have excelled in their efforts to keep IAM members informed. Unfortunately, with the cancellation of the IAM Grand Lodge Convention this past year, these presentations, like so many others, were forced into a virtual sphere.

Canadian members are rightfully very proud to recognize the efforts of the winners representing the Canadian Territory.

“As many of you know, I spent over a decade as the Communicator and Newsletter Editor within my own District Lodge in Vancouver, so to see Canada so well-represented in these awards is a great recognition for our Canadian Territory. You make all Canadian IAM members proud!” said Stan Pickthall, IAM Canadian General Vice-President. “Despite the pandemic that has affected what we do in so many ways, you have made sure your members were well-informed. We thank you for it from the bottom of our hearts.”

Fred Labelle, President, IAM Local 869
“As president of LL869, I am honoured to receive these 2 awards. I am fortunate to have an incredible team working around the clock in keeping these means of communication to our members up-to date on a regular basis.  Hrvoje and Benoit learned to utilise today’s technology and social media platforms in order to reach out to as many members as possible and this year, with the Covid-19 situation, it has proven itself even more useful. I am very proud of our entire team for what we accomplish as a whole. Let’s stay MORE UNITED THAN EVER”

Fred Hospes, President and Directing General Chairperson, IAM District 140
“Transportation District 140 is honoured to have received this award. Issuing communications in French and English in a timely manner can be challenging. Brother John Vincent has been very diligent ensuring that our communications are posted and circulated through multiple social media forms in both official languages.”

Rick Singh, President, IAM Local Lodge 16
We have a large membership which covers the Vancouver airport 24 hours a day. Communications doesn’t work only for only one eight-hour shift. Our local needs constant and consistent communications so we can talk to all of our members. Jon Vincent works hard at getting information out to them and we are all deeply appreciative.

Pierre Grenier, Directing Business Representative, IAM District 11
Communications is crucial for small teams and for large teams. It’s especially important when we have a membership scattered across cities or across the province. In this pandemic, Local 869 made sure the membership was connected and aware of everything going on especially since they continue to be in negotiations with the employer. We are proud of their work and proud they are part of our District.

See this link to the awards, and a summary of the Canadian winners:

https://contest.goiam.org/newsletter-website/2019-newsletter-and-website-awards/

SOCIAL MEDIA – District Lodge 140
Second Place: District Lodge 140 – Twitter.com/140District
Editor: John Vincent
Taking advantage of multiple media to get the message out. Highlights critical issues both in French and English.

SOCIAL MEDIA – Local Lodge 869
Third Place: Local Lodge 869 – Twitter.com/aimta869  Facebook.com/aimta869
Editor: Hrvoje Golek
Uses all tools to reach members and has a distinct presence. Bi-lingual.

WEBSITE – BEST LAYOUT AND DESIGN – Local Lodge 869
Third Place: Local Lodge 869 – aimta869.ca
Editor: Benoit Blanchette
Great navigation, easy-to-tackle layout, and bi-lingual.

WEBSITE – GENERAL EXCELLENCE – Local Lodge 16
Honorable Mention 1: Local Lodge 16 – iamaw16.ca
Editor: John Vincent
A great overall site that delivers information quickly.

TAKE ACTION: Support aviation and aerospace workers

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Support aviation and aerospace workers

TAKE ACTION: Support aviation and aerospace workers « Canada’s NDP

Air transportation and aerospace are among the sectors most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the onset of this pandemic, tens of thousands of direct jobs have been lost across the country.

These are not just numbers. Families and communities have been devastated.

If there is no federal intervention, tens of thousands of more jobs will be lost.

But despite numerous calls for help, Justin Trudeau is slow to intervene.

Justin Trudeau is willing to do anything for his rich friends, but when it comes to workers, he asks them to wait.

Elsewhere in the world, many countries have already made significant efforts to support workers in the air transport and aerospace sectors.

It’s time for the federal government to do its part.

We in the NDP want to protect these good jobs and help workers in these sectors.

That is why we are calling for immediate, strategic and specific assistance for these sectors which will:

• Force companies to use the wage subsidy program to protect jobs and wages.

• Ensure that all the rules in the Canada Labour Code, collective agreements and health and safety requirements are respected.

• Ensure that public financing supports workers and jobs directly by preventing further layoffs and encouraging re-hiring laid off workers.

• Ensure that companies receiving public funding do not offer bonuses to senior executives and donot distribute dividends.

• Ensure that funds extended to companies include an equity stake that will guarantee protection of the public interest.

• Ensure that public funds support workers and consumers alike and will not force air transport companies to choose between protecting jobs and refunding passengers for cancelled flights.

• Support a national strategy for aerospace that supports workers and jobs in Canada.

• Put in place adequate support for NAV-Canada to preserve and restore it’s work force and continue to deliver its key services

Tell Justin Trudeau’s Liberals to act now to protect air and aerospace workers.

IAMAW Canada – Federal Government Should “Absolutely” Support Canada’s Airlines

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Federal Government Should “Absolutely” Support Canada’s Airlines

Federal Government Should “Absolutely” Support Canada’s Airlines

October 2, 2020 – “The Federal Government should absolutely support Canada’s airline and air transportation industry!” This was the unequivocal statement of Stan Pickthall, Canadian General Vice President of the Machinists Union (IAM). “This is a position we have taken throughout the pandemic, and one that we have published in two releases on our website.”

Pickthall applauds the recent addition of other Airline Unions who are now taking strong positions on this campaign. “Most of the major Unions representing workers in air transportation are now backing the call for assistance to be provided to the airlines and air transportation companies, who have been devastated beyond belief by this pandemic. Together we are stronger!”

“Air Canada alone lost in excess of $1 Billion in the second quarter of 2020, and the news will soon come out for Q3 – which looks like it will be much the same. Without much-needed Federal assistance for this industry, we could soon be facing bankruptcies by even the major players.”

However, the IAM says that Government assistance must provide assurances to protect workers in Canada’s air transportation industry. Specifically, it must be conditional upon an employer plan and commitment to make the protection and creation of jobs a condition of the loan.  “Any Federal funds to airlines must not be used for executive compensation and bonuses,” stated Pickthall. “We have played that movie before, and we do not support bailouts for executives.”

Air Canada alone has laid off in excess of 20,000 employees, many of whom are IAM Union members. The IAM has seen furloughs of almost half its membership at Air Canada over recent months after the Company discontinued the federal wage subsidy (CEWS) program among its unionized employees.

“Corporations must have a plan that protects the jobs and salaries of workers; this plan must have as its goal the return to work of their entire workforce.” Pickthall concluded.

The IAM is the largest Union representing almost 20,000 workers at Airlines and Air Transportation across the country. The IAM has posted numerous and regular communications to its membership over the past six months – many of which are in response to the COVID Pandemic and the economic impacts on workers.

For more information: http://www.iamaw.ca/covid-19-news/

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Media Contact:
Frank Saptel; Stan Pickthall.  416-386-1789