MTU wins decade-long contract with US Air Force

15 October, 2020
For immediate release

Delta, B.C. – Members at IAM Local Lodge 764, working at MTU Maintenance Canada have secured work for a decade. This comes as welcome news for those members, as well as the IAM. It assures the work will be there for IAM members despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is great news for our Members.  The transportation sector has been significantly impacted by this pandemic, causing a lot of uncertainty about its’ recovery.  We have been working closely with MTU to ensure that the health and wellness of our members is a priority, and that we continue to be a strong and viable presence in this sector,” said Tania Canniff, General Chairperson for IAM District 140.

The contract is for the servicing of the United States Air Force’s F-138 Engine and Line-Replaceable unit (LRU, a modular component of the airplane). It includes depot maintenance, repair and overhaul. The contract is for five years, with an additional five years follow-up.

MTU has moved operations to the Boundary Bay Airport in Delta, B.C., a larger facility of 235,000 square feet. The move will be fully completed by June 2021. The graduated move avoids any operational delays and ensures respecting the deadlines of the contract.

MTU had secured the contract in February, but the move to the new facilities was done in phases to respect the protocols around COVID-19. “The members’ health and safety were of prime importance,” said Canniff.

“The awarding of these contracts brings great opportunities for both our members and MTU Canada,” said Fred Hospes, President and Directing General Chairperson of IAM District 140. “Earlier this year IAM Representatives at all levels of the organization worked hard to get our MTU members included in the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program, which kept our members employed during these unprecedented times. This put MTU in a position to take on these new contracts without any operational interruptions.”

IAM Canadian General Vice-President Stan Pickthall also congratulated the members “We are very enthusiastic over the opportunity this provides for our IAM members of Local 764 in Vancouver. IAM members build first-class products, and the awarding of this contract demonstrates the confidence the customer has in the MTU Team.”

MTU Maintenance Canada Limited is the North American member of the MTU Maintenance network of companies, the largest independent provider of commercial engine maintenance services worldwide. The 355 members of IAM Local Lodge 764 repair and overhaul aircraft engines and accessories and perform engine tests at the MTU facility next to Vancouver International Airport.

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For more information:
Tania Canniff
General Chairperson, IAM District 140
tcanniff@iam140.ca

Frank Saptel
Communications Representative, IAM Canada
fsaptel@iamaw.org