COVID-19

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… Read More »It’s not “Force Majeure” if it’s planned says IAM

“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… Read More »“Beyond Disappointed”

The Centre for Future Work recently released a study of universal childcare’s importance to the economic recovery, stressing that it’s socially beneficial but just how critical it is to the economic recovery. The study highlights that universal childcare is not a lofty goal, it’s a program that would pay for itself, and would give the Canadian economy a much needed boost Universal childcare has been on the political agenda for… Read More »Universal Childcare: Pays For Itself and Critical for the Economic Recovery

Essential Information About the EI Program This document is a guide to help members on lay-off access Employment Insurance benefits, and other emergency benefits provided by the Canada Revenue Agency (DOWNLOAD THE PDF) Table of Contents Applying for EI: What You Need to Know………..2 Minimum Benefit Rate……………………………….….2 Eligibility for EI…………………………………………….2 Things to Keep In Mind…………………………………3 Before You Apply………………………………….……….3 Late ROEs……………………………………………………4 Is the EI benefit taxable?…………………………………4 Your Obligations While Receiving EI… Read More »Accessing EI and Emergency Benefits: What you Need to Know

On Monday November 30, 2020, the Canadian Government gave an economic update for 2020, which was the first economic update since March 2019. Given the impact of the pandemic across the economy, the anxiously anticipated briefing provided insight into the state of Canadian economy, and the hotly debated deficit. Of significant interest to the IAMAW are the government’s support for air transportation, aerospace, and the long-term care sector. Unfortunately, the… Read More »Fiscal Announcement A Let Down For Air Transportation and Aerospace Industries

For almost the entire year of 2020, the IAM has been lobbying the Federal Government for assistance directed toward the aviation sector. IAM members and their families are urged to support our ongoing efforts by signing onto the Federal NDP’s petition: https://www.ndp.ca/aviation. 2020 has been a year like no other – that is something on which we all can agree. And the Air Transportation and Aviation sector has been impacted… Read More »Canada’s Aviation Industry Requires Action Now!

Re-Nationalization of Canada’s Airlines – the Time is Now! October 20, 2020 The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Finance/Deputy Prime Minister The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 Email: Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca Email: Marc.Garneau@parl.gc.ca   Dear Ministers Freeland and Garneau: Subject: Re-Nationalization of Canada’s Airlines – the Time is Now! We have all watched with horror as the Covid Pandemic has impacted friends and families… Read More »Letter to Ministers Freeland and Garneau: Re-Nationalization of Canada’s Airlines – the Time is Now!

With over two million jobs lost to the pandemic, the IAMAW calls for a government strategy that will replace those jobs with better ones. The IAMAW calls on government actions to help workers in all sectors recover from the economic lockdown, particularly workers in the airline, and aerospace industries. Many sectors across Canada face the prospect of a long recovery. Government actions to support these industries must focus first and… Read More »Government Actions Must Focus on Workers!

07 October, 2020 Information for Members The IAM’s renowned William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center, also known as the W3 Center or Placid Harbor, is up and running with online training. “The programming is available for the balance of 2020,” said Chris Wagoner, Director of the Winpisinger Center. The training portal is currently active and all DBRs, PDBRs and PDGCs, as well as District and Local Presidents, Recording Secretaries… Read More »Despite pandemic, IAM Commitment to education and training still rock solid

Montreal, September 30th, 2020- Air transport and Aerospace are among the sectors most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In Canada, tens of thousands of jobs and the survival of many businesses are at stake. The crisis that is simultaneously hitting these two sectors deserves the attention of a parliamentary committee “A perfect storm is hitting both industries,” says David Chartrand, Quebec coordinator of the Machinists’ Union. For several months now,… Read More »Crisis in Air transport and Aerospace – The federal government must not underestimate what is happening