March 28, 2020
\nPress Release<\/p>\n
Canada\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Unions deliver clear priorities for federal airline relief package<\/strong><\/p>\n OTTAWA \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Today, Canada\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s airline unions met with the Minister of Finance and Minister of Transportation to share the concerns of aviation industry workers and to provide solutions to ensuring the sector\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s viability. Chief among their priorities is to ensure that any federal financial aid package responds to the needs of workers still on the job as well as the thousands of airline employees recently laid off.<\/p>\n Representing 40,000 employees, Canada\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s airline unions participating in the meeting included the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Unifor, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Canada, the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) as well as the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).<\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153A key priority for today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s call was to ensure that front-line aviation employees still working have the appropriate personal protective equipment,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said CLC President Hassan Yussuff. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This includes pre-board screeners, flight crews, and passenger agents who are working to ensure the safety of both employees and the traveling public.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n Union leaders urged the federal government to consider measures similar to those in US Congress where affected airline and airport workers are to be provided top up benefits similar to those in US Congress where 80% of wages are guaranteed. The Unions also proposed that employers extend health benefit plans and ensure pensionable service is accrued under retirement plans. Moreover, they also wanted to ensure that any federal aid allows laid-off employees to return to payroll and maintains employment levels.<\/p>\n Unions also asserted that any government support be accompanied by tight restrictions on executive compensation. This includes bonuses and stock options, share buybacks and dividend payments, as well as debt repayment designed to increase shareholder value.<\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Air travel is a vital part of Canada\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s transportation network and economy, and the success of any federal financial aid package will require worker supports,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d added Yussuff. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Canada\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s unions welcome the federal government\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s efforts to work with Labour to ensure the airline industry will continue to flourish into the future.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n To arrange an interview, please contact:<\/p>\n CLC Media Relations<\/strong> IAMAW<\/strong> CUPE<\/strong> UNIFOR<\/strong> ALPA<\/strong>
\nmedia@clcctc.ca<\/a>
\n613-526-7426<\/p>\n
\nFrank Saptel
\nfsaptel@iamaw.org<\/a>
\n416-386-1789<\/p>\n
\nPhilippe Gagnon
\n613-894-0146<\/p>\n
\nHamid Osman
\nHamid.Osman@unifor.org<\/a>
\n647-448-2823<\/p>\n
\nmedia@alpa.org<\/a><\/p>\n