It’s not “Force Majeure” if it’s planned says IAM

The IAM was advised this morning that Air Canada intends to use an extraordinary measure by placing approximately 284 IAM members on “off duty status” by invoking a “force majeure” provision contained within the collective agreement. The IAM categorically opposes the use of the “force majeure by placing our members on “off duty status” as it does not apply in the current situation. Air Canada is well outside the statute of limitations to use “force majeure”. The company announced 1,700 staff reductions across its operations throughout the country.

Force Majeure is an unforeseeable circumstance that prevents someone from fulfilling a contract or an obligation. Read Press Release here…

District Bulletin 002 – DISTRICT 140 EFAP CLAIM PROCESS

It has come to my attention that the iam140efap.ca website contained incorrect information about the claim process. In the past, a member with a family plan was able to access $1500 over and above the $500 allotted by the company.

After consideration of this, the National EFAP Committee decided that this was not a fair
practice. The policy allowed for members with family plans to access more monies than
those members with single/no dependent plans. Read Bulletin here…

Beyond Disappointed

“I am far beyond disappointed to hear that the Canadian government has been providing wage subsidies (CEWS) to foreign-owned airlines who continue to fly into Canada!”

That was the reaction of Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall, when news dropped that a dozen foreign-owned airlines have been granted CEWS relief despite having already received billions of dollars in relief from their own governments. The CEWS database shows
precisely which corporations are receiving the benefit financed by Canadian taxpayers: https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/hacc/cews/srch/pub/bscSrch

District Bulletin 01 – AIR CANADA OFF-DUTY STATUS

Today, Air Canada advised District Lodge 140 of their intention to place additional employees on off-duty status as per Article 20.14 of the Collective Agreement. For now, the majority of the affected Members come from the Atlantic Region and all come from Airports/Cargo. Labour Relations further advised that additional ODS will also be applied in Tech-Ops at a later date but did not provide detail.Read Bulletin here…

District Bulletin 64 – AIR CANADA – NATIONAL GRIEVANCES

Your General Chairpersons continued the fight at national arbitration hearings
yesterday. As many of the national grievances are more complex than usual, the
national process tends to be protracted.

Although taking longer than expected, we are concluding matters and are very happy
to report that Arbitrator Christine Schmidt has upheld the extensive shift bid grievances
submitted across every region Read Bulletin here…

District Bulletin 63 – AIR CANADA – TMOS NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

As a follow up to Bulletin No.54 issued on October 21, 2020, a further case management call was held on December 18, 2020 between Arbitrator Vince Ready, the IAMAW’s legal counsel, Air Canada’s legal counsel, and the two principle chairs for your TMOS Bargaining Committee.

Due to unforeseen circumstances of a personal nature, Air Canada’s counsel have put forward a request to Arbitrator Ready to extend the December 14 & 23, 2020 submission deadlines that were previously established during the case management call on October 15, 2020. Read Bulletin here…

District Bulletin 62 – AIR CANADA – HOLIDAY OVERTIME COMMUNICATION

By now most of you will have read the employer’s communication dated December 13th regarding “Holiday Peak Overtime Callout.” Your Union is opposed to this strategy for a myriad of reasons.
Overtime callout procedures are set forth in the Collective Agreement and local overtime agreements. It is not optional to Air Canada resource to unilaterally adjust those agreed to procedures on an ad hoc basis. Read Bulletin here…

To all Canadian Local Lodges, District Lodges, BR/GCs, GL Staff

Over the course of this year, a great many IAM members have suffered a furlough or layoff as a result of the pandemic. We are aware that a great many remain in this situation.

The IAM Constitution, in Article G, provides for members who are unemployed for the major portion of
any month (the major portion of any month shall depend on the major portion of the regular working days
in any month) and who suffer a total or proportionate loss of earnings, due to separation from
employment, layoff, or furlough, or sickness or disability, to maintain their good standing by paying a
minimum charge of $2.00 per month, $1.00 of which is remitted to Grand Lodge. Read Bulletin here…

District Bulletin 58 – AIR CANADA – APPLICATION TO MINISTER OF LABOUR

As a follow-up to bulletin No. 056 issued on November 13th, Transportation District 140 is pleased to report that the applications to the Minister of Labour for the appointment of an arbitrator had a positive impact.

Air Canada immediately engaged the IAMAW in discussion and we were able to secure two (2) additional arbitration dates for 2020, December 10th and December 21st. These much needed arbitration dates will be used to hear outstanding national grievances. The parties have agreed to Arbitrator Christine Schmidt. Read Bulletin here…

District Bulletin 59 – FORMER AVEOS MEMBERS AVEOS DIRECTOR LIABILITIES

ALL MEMBERS FORMERLY EMPLOYED AT AVEOS SHOULD READ THE NOTICE ATTACHED TO THIS BULLETIN.

Some members formerly employed at Aveos are owed money by the former Directors of Aveos for wages that remained unpaid at the end of the Aveos bankruptcy.

In order to receive a payment from a settlement of Court proceedings, these members MUST confirm their current mailing address, in accordance with the instructions on the attached Notice. Read Bulletin here…

District Bulletin 56 – AIR CANADA APPLICATION TO MINISTER OF LABOUR

The General Chairpersons representing Members from the TMOS, Finance and Clerical
Bargaining Units have been working exhaustively to process and resolve all outstanding
grievances, including those flowing from Off Duty Status (ODS) and Lay-off.

Air Canada has been working equally hard to delay agreed to processes and ultimately delay
justice. The Company is defiantly refusing to advance urgent grievances to arbitration. The
level of frustration this is causing the Membership is not acceptable. Read Bulletin here…

District Bulletin 54 – AIR CANADA – TMOS NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

As a follow up to Bulletin No. 52 issued on October 7, 2020, a case management call was held on October 15, 2020 between Arbitrator Vince Ready, the IAMAW’s legal counsel, and Air Canada’s legal counsel. Your TMOS Bargaining Committee was also in attendance.
Arbitrator Ready has established a timeline for both parties to make submissions as well as counter-arguments between October 26, 2020 and December 23, 2020. Read Bulletin here…

IAMAW GVP Letter – Re-Nationalization of Canada’s Airlines

In our view, it is long past time for the Federal Government to step in and prevent our crucial air transportation industry from collapsing in the midst of this global pandemic. We are calling for investment in the industry, particularly as it impacts upon Air Canada and the tens of thousands of Canadians who rely upon this company for their income and their livelihoods. Read letter here…

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.” Read Bulletin here…

District Bulletin 49 – AIR CANADA TECH – OPS CATEGORY 38 GRIEVANCES

Many Members around the country have requested updates regarding the Category 38
related grievances flowing from ODS and lay-off.
As a quick background, two (2) grievances were filed on April 24, 2020 and July 6, 2020
respectively. Both grievances seek to remedy the Company’s decision to lay off all CAT38’s
from the “B” and “C” stations, among other things. The General Chairpersons representing
Members at Air Canada have been putting Read Bulletin here…