COVID-19

GVP Stan Pickthall on the COVID-19 pandemic

March 11, 2021 Attention: All Local Lodges, District Loges and Staff Sisters and Brothers: Today marks exactly one year since the World Health Organization declared a worldwide pandemic. I am certain we can all reflect on the sweeping changes that this has brought forth; both in our workplaces and in our personal lives. I simply wanted to take this moment to consider and respect those who lost their lives to

The future of the aerospace industry in the hands of the federal government - Chartrand

For immediate release Montreal March 9th, 2021 – After a year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian aerospace industry is in serious trouble and may not survive without federal intervention. Called to testify before the Industry, Science and Technology Committee, the IAMAW called for a short-term assistance plan to help the aerospace industry recover quickly from the crisis and the implementation of a long-term pan-Canadian aerospace policy. “We are talking

Questions about vaccines and vaccinations

Sisters and Brothers: It has now been one year since there was a worldwide pandemic call respecting COVID-19. In that context, there has been a great deal in the news over recent weeks about the availability of vaccines. We now know there are four (4) separate vaccines that will be made available to the public as vaccine rollout occurs across Canada. This has led to a number of questions being

Re: the crisis facing workers in Canada’s air travel and tourism sector

February 24, 2021 The Honourable Omar Alghabra Minister of Transport House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6 The Honourable Carla Qualtrough Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6 The Honourable Chrystia Freeland Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6   Dear Honourable Ministers: Re: the crisis facing workers in Canada’s air travel and tourism sector

One More Obstacle to Airline Recovery

Today’s announcement made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau presents yet another obstacle in the IAM’s fight to preserve the aviation industry, where our members and thousands of other workers are being left out in the cold without support. With the requirement for mandatory hotel-quarantine, at a cost estimated to be $2,000, the government has yet again raised the bar on restrictions faced by the transportation industry. This will further result

International Transport Workers Federation Civil Aviation Forum a great success!

By Keith Aiken, IAM Canadian Transportation Coordinator The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) held their annual Civil Aviation week November 9 – 13, 2020 that focused on strategy for Relief, Recovery and Reform for an industry that has devastated by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. This year’s Civil Aviation week was different, as it was held virtually. Each day there were two sessions held to try and accommodate as many participants

Driving a hard bargain – How COVID-19 has changed things

Whether we like it or know it, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed us: how we live and how we work. This means it has also changed the way we bargain our collective agreements and deal with grievances and arbitrations. The “new normal” has changed to “The Normal” as 2021 approaches. Most of us have already adopted videoconferencing as part of our lives. Employers have re-evaluated their need for a full

COVID-19 and Worker’s Compensation: When to Apply

Applying for worker’s compensation can be a convoluted process that oftentimes discourages injured workers, rather than allowing for easier access. And as if the process wasn’t complicated already, COVID-19 has certainly added new challenges to filing a claim. Infection rates have continued to climb across Canada, posing challenges for both communities and workplaces. In the context of health and safety, as with many illnesses, injuries and diseases, making the connection

Letter to Ministers Freeland and Garneau: Re-Nationalization of Canada’s Airlines – the Time is 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

Situation Critical – IAM Sounding Alarm on Air Transportation

16 October, 2020 For immediate release Toronto, ON – Yesterday, WestJet announced an 80% reduction in flights to Atlantic Canada and Quebec City due to the ongoing pandemic. With these cuts to service, combined with layoffs in the airline and aerospace sectors, as well as the onset of a “Second wave” of the COVID-19 pandemic, the forecast is dire. “The industry is in peril. The IAM is again calling on