Photos from Vancouver rally against Aveos shutdown

More than 200 workers and concerned community members attended a rally today at the Skytrain Station at Sea Island to protest the interference of Lisa Raitt and the Harper government in Air Canada negotiations. They were also protesting yesterday’s announcement of the Aveos closure, which has thrown more than 2600 IAM members out of work. (Photos: Stan Pickthall) Speakers at the Rally:Chris Hiscock (Local 764 President)Fred Hospes (DL140 General Chairperson)Jim

AVEOS Layoffs violate Air Canada Public Participation Act!

Toronto, ON – “The Layoff of 2,600 aircraft maintenance workers at Aveos Fleet Performance Incorporated is a direct violation of the Air Canada Public Participation Act,” explained an angry Dave Ritchie – Canadian General Vice President of the IAMAW. “The act stipulates that Air Canada must maintain aircraft heavy maintenance facilities or have such work performed at facilities in Winnipeg, Mississauga and Montreal,” said Ritchie. Air Canada complied by having

MEDIA ADVISORY

News Conference 3 pm EDT Toronto, ON – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers will hold a news conference today in response to the closure of AVEOS Fleet Performance Inc, which employs 2,600 IAMAW members. “We feel this closure is a direct result of Air Canada pulling its heavy aircraft maintenance business from AVEOS and sending it to other service providers,” explained IAMAW Canadian General Vice President Dave

United Customer Service Agents Ratify First Agreement!

Toronto, ON – United Airlines Customer Service Agents at Pearson International Airport, members of the IAMAW, have ratified their first collective agreement. The forty members of IAMAW Local Lodge 2323, formerly of Continental Airlines, joined the Machinists in October 2010 after Continental and United Airlines merged. The three-year agreement provides wage increases of 2.5 per cent retroactive to July 1, 2011, 2.5 per cent upon ratification March 15, 2012, and

Submission by Dave Ritchie to the Senate Concerning Bill C-33, An Act to provide for the continuation and resumption of air service operations.

14 March, 2012 Submission by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers to the Senate Concerning Bill C-33, An Act to provide for the continuation and resumption of air service operations. On behalf of the International Association on Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), we would like to thank the Committee for giving us the opportunity to express our views on Bill C-33. As the union representing the 8,600 members

Machinists Now Represent Pearson Screeners!

Toronto, ON – “This is a significant organizing victory for the airport security screeners at Pearson Airport,” declared a very happy Dave Ritchie. “We are now representing more airport security screeners than anyone else in Canada.” The Canadian General Vice President of the IAMAW was reacting to news that the Machinists were victorious in a Canadian Industrial Relations Board authorized vote which decided who would represent the 1,624 airport screeners

Government Attacks Workers Rights and Wages at Air Canada!

Toronto, ON – “The rights and wages of our members at Air Canada are being attacked by the federal government,” stated a disappointed Dave Ritchie. “It’s a sad day for any federally regulated worker in Canada because this legislation says you do not have the right to strike period,” said Ritchie. “This will undermine free collective bargaining and poison labour relations across Canada.” The Canadian General Vice President of the

Machinists file for Conciliation with Aveos!

Vancouver, BC – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers have filed for conciliation in its bargaining with Aveos Fleet Performance Inc. The IAMAW is attempting to reach a fair and equitable collective agreement for its Aveos members. “Our members working at Aveos Fleet Performance are mad as hell,” explained IAMAW District 140 Western Region Directing General Chairperson Fred Hospes. “It appears Aveos hasn’t made employee pension contributions per