TO ALL IAMAW AIR CANADA MEMBERS
(TMOS, FINANCE & CLERICAL)
CANADA EMERGENCY WAGE SUBSIDY PROGRAM
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
On May 15th Air Canada released communications stating that those employees who are laid off will no longer fall under the CEWS program effective June 7th.
The IAMAW has advised Air Canada that they need to come to the table and maintain its employees on the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program, which is being subsidized by Federal funding, and not abandon them during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis and pandemic.
In April, Air Canada agreed to participate in the Federal Wage Subsidy program, which provides for 75% of wages to a maximum of $847 per week. However, when the Federal government recently extended the program for another 12 weeks, Air Canada backed out.
Air Canada needs to stand alongside its employees and work together on rebuilding this industry. During this unprecedented time of mass unemployment and uncertainty as people’s lives hang in the balance, we would expect that a company so critical to the Canadian economy, a world-class airline, would make a responsible decision, not just to the benefit of workers who are the heart of their business, but to the benefit of the Canadian economy.
The IAMAW has been a strong advocate of CEWS, and we have advocated for Air Canada’s enrollment in the Large Employer Emergency Financing program as well. We have been watching developments closely and advocated for programs we deem beneficial to our members and the Canadian economy. Not only would accessing federal aid be a sound business decision, it is socially responsible.
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All Canadians expect this of companies that are the fabric of our economy and community. One such community, the Air Canada one that spans across Canada, will be ravaged, and once again, the highest price and heaviest consequence will be borne by our members. It is deeply disappointing that Air Canada has undertaken this decision, one that will have lasting detrimental impacts on those who have built the Air Canada business and name, its workers.
In solidarity,
Fred Hospes
President and Directing General Chairperson,
Transportation District 140, IAMAW
