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IAMAW Canada – Asian Heritage Month
Asian Heritage Month
Asian Heritage Month is an opportunity for all Canadians to learn more about the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian descent who, throughout our history, have done so much to make Canada the amazing country we share today. The theme for Asian Heritage Month 2020, “Asian Canadians: United in Diversity”, was inspired by the long and rich history of these Canadians who continue, even today, to enrich our country and make it a more vibrant, inclusive and compassionate society. Let us celebrate in May the incredible diversity that is our strength.
For the 2020 edition of Asian Heritage Month, we are trying something new, a poster you can download, print and colour at home.
Visit the download page to download the Asian Heritage Month posters.
IAMAW Canada – COVID19 Impact on the Aerospace Industry
COVID19 Impact on the Aerospace Industry
While the air transportation industry has usually been resilient in the wake of major disruptions and crises, it is questionable that air transportation will be able to recover as quickly as it has in the past. Airlines are running out of liquidity making bankruptcies, consolidations and even nationalization a possibility. All of this will inevitably affect civil aircraft manufacturing, supply chains and aftermarket support businesses.
The defense side of aerospace will fare better as contracts have been secured and restrictions will not have the same impact.
On the commercial side, weakening links in supply chains, as well as, bottlenecks nationally and internationally are expected.
Aerospace companies are expected to experience cash flow issues in May and June as new production schedules become established. At the same time, companies will review their strategy, industrial footprint and operating models. Staff reductions are likely, and efficiency will be examined. Business outlooks predict that automation and 3D printing in wide-scale manufacturing could become the new standard. Companies are being encouraged by experts to cut discretionary and capital spending, and ask for extensions of lines of credit, look for reductions in infrastructure costs, lowering of taxes and support in supply chains. Additionally, due to the loss of market share, some suppliers and specialized providers may experience financial strain.
Because it’s difficult to determine how long travel restrictions will last, and if there will be a second wave of the virus, the aerospace industry is taking three scenarios into consideration;
- If restrictions last 2 months, travel levels would theoretically be back to 100% by the end of 2020 and early 2021. Replacement aircraft would be postponed by 12 months. Cumulative demand for new aircraft would be reduced by 800 planes over a ten-year period.
- If restrictions last 4 months, travel levels are expected to return to 90% of pre-crisis levels by the beginning of summer 2021. Replacement aircraft would be postponed by 18 months. Demand for new aircraft would drop by 15,840 new aircraft over a ten-year period, requiring downsizing of industry, and refinement of replacement strategies and product mix in fleets. For instance, A220s would be chosen in favour of A320.
- If restrictions last 6 months, travel is expected to return to 80% of pre-crisis levels by the Summer of 2022. Replacement aircraft would be postponed by 24 months. In this scenario, demand for new aircraft would drop by 50% over the next ten years, which would result in austere measures to downsize and restructure. However, what will mitigate some of the effects of the pandemic are existing orders and contractual obligations of companies.
Since MRO is driven by the size and flight activity of global fleets, it is the first area to experience shockwaves due to the pandemic. Once aircraft are grounded, the demand for all flight cycle linked maintenance diminishes. MRO providers and spare parts suppliers would be affected as MRO shops would first use existing inventory before purchasing new parts from suppliers.
If oil prices remain low, airlines can afford to fly older, less fuel-efficient planes, which will also impact aircraft manufacturing and assembly.
Three challenges are anticipated irrespective of the scenario and length of travel restrictions.
- Postponement or cancellations of aircraft orders
- Bridging the time until new aircraft returns
- Minimizing the amount of time to adjust supply chains
Post Pandemic:
Downsizing of operations for OEMs and suppliers is likely as they adjust to new realities, such as the loss of scale. Firms will also have to make adjustments in efficiency, which can take the form of automation. Automation is also an option to reduce human to human contact and could be seen as a health and safety measure under the new circumstances. It’s also possible that weaker suppliers may drop out of the market, and that there will be some consolidation of industry.
OEMs may have a greater presence and concentration in the industry or there might be a more balanced industry model between OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.
Government intervention may be required as companies transition to a new operational environment.
IAMAW Canada – Fighting Machinists team up, get crucial protections for pre-board screeners
Fighting Machinists team up, get crucial protections for pre-board screeners
The airline industry in Canada has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. Thousands of airport workers have been laid off, airlines have grounded fleets and associate airport business have been shuttered. For those still employed and going to work at the airport, it can be an unnerving experience as the virus has not stopped it spread.
“Some airport employers have been better than others when it comes to providing personal protective equipment (PPE). We have been working closely with our allies at the United Steel Workers (USW), fighting for our Members, employed as pre-board screeners across the country to get service providers to provide the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) they require as front line workers in this pandemic. It looks like our collective hard work over the last couple of weeks has paid off as the Canadian Air Transportation Security Authority (CATSA) will now supply face shields to our screening officers across the country,” said IAM District 140 General Chairperson Tania Canniff. “Our pre-board screeners have been demanding the proper PPE from their respective employers since this pandemic started. Through our collective hard work, we were able to get the screeners the protection they deserve,” said IAM District 140 General Chairperson Tayeb Lharti.
On April 17, 2020 Transport Canada issued an emergency guidance mandating that effective April 20, 2020, all passengers wear a face covering while travelling. Also contained in that guidance was mandating proper PPE for screening officers. This guidance mandated that any screener who could not maintain a 2-metre distance through the performance of their duties was to be given a mask. This week, through discussion with the unions, CATSA agreed to supply face shields to all pre-board screeners, throughout the country. Canniff added. “The cooperation between the IAM and the Steelworkers on the fight to protect our pre-board screeners has been amazing. It’s incredible what we can accomplish when we are all focused and working towards a common outcome, like the health and well-being of our Members.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents the largest number of airport workers across Canada.