TO ALL IAMAW MEMBERS
AIR CANADA – TMOS
ARTICLE 20.14 – OFF DUTY STATUS (ODS)
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
The Covid-19 pandemic has made everyday life uncertain and unpredictable.
During these unprecedented and extremely challenging times, Health Canada and various Government bodies have enacted measures to fight the COVID-19 health crisis affecting air travel globally.
The General Chairpersons and the IAMAW Canadian office have been working tirelessly in an effort to secure the information needed to answer many important questions coming from our membership regarding the application of Article 20.14 “Off-Duty Status” (ODS). Unfortunately, despite continued attempts to obtain accurate information it has proven to be difficult to obtain this information from the Company.
Article 20.14 is a negotiated provision in the Air Canada Collective Bargaining Agreement, and as such, the Union intends to ensure that Article 20.14, and other applicable Articles of the CBA are being followed and that our members’ rights are being upheld. If they are not, we will take the steps necessary to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to correct their actions, including filing grievances where applicable.
It is clear that the employer believes the remainder of the Collective Agreement is applicable only at their discretion during this period of “Off-Duty Status.” This belief is NOT FACTUAL and in consultation with legal counsel, the Union is preparing a myriad of challenges.
It is imperative that the membership take the time to read Article 20.14 in its entirety and notify your Shop Steward, Shop Committees or General Chairpersons immediately, if you identify a violation of the terms of Article 20.14 or any other Article of the Collective Agreement.
NO OVERTIME IS TO BE WORKED DURING PERIODS OF ODS.
20.14.07 No overtime will be worked in a classification/category at the point while employees are on “off-duty status” in that classification/category.
“Off-duty Status” is not a measure intended for mid-term or long-term application. It is the position of the IAMAW that Article 20.14 must give way to the provisions of Article 16 and Memorandum of Agreement NO. 6 – Mitigation of Staff Reductions.
Please be sure to monitor the Union web pages regularly and official bulletin boards for updated information.
The Union has created an “Employment Insurance Package” (what you need to know) and an
information package on the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit to assist our members. You
can find both documents on Local Lodge websites and the websites listed below:
More information including a Q&A document is forth coming.
In solidarity,
Steve Prinz
General Chairperson
Western Region
Kevin Timms
General Chairperson
Western Region – Calgary
Richard Vezina
General Chairperson
Western Region – Winnipeg
Satwant Saini
General Chairperson
Central Region
Mahmoud Khatib
General Chairperson
Central Region
Serge Gélinas
General Chairperson
Western Region – Eastern
Guillaume Lingat
General Chairperson
Eastern Region
Andrew MacFarlane
General Chairperson
Atlantic/Maritimes Region
