TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE IAMAW
WORKING AT AIR CANADA AND AVEOS
Outsourcing Arbitration
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
An arbitration hearing was held in Montreal yesterday, December 14, to deal with the request from both Aveos and Air Canada to outsource the maintenance of eight aircraft, six APUs and a CF34-10 ERJ engine.
District 140 reminded both parties that they had been made fully aware that Aveos would not be the employer of choice during the transition process and, as such, would find itself with a shortfall of staff.
This has now become a reality, since there is not enough staff identified in Montreal and Vancouver to accomplish the Air Canada Maintenance plan for the first part of 2012.
After the Airframe case was heard, the arbitrator advised all present that he was not going to allow a wholesale outsourcing of all eight aircraft. Due to a lack of manpower, it seems, Aveos has asked to outsource two 767 aircraft, as of now. Aircraft 640 and 687 have been removed from the Vancouver and Montreal maintenance programs and sent to an outside supplier.
In addition, the arbitrator ordered Aveos to refrain from laying off staff in Heavy Maintenance while the outsourcing is in effect.
Furthermore, Aveos is to prepare and supply an immediate staffing plan and to provide the union with an immediate recall plan that would include an implementation date.
In order to maintain this work in-house, both companies must also look for options for the next 767 aircraft (no. 645).
Concerning the outsourcing of the APUs and CF34-10 engine, we informed the arbitrator that we have been asking Aveos for the last two years to acquire the necessary tooling and offer the required training to do the work on the CF34-10 engines. This, along with the fact that Aveos is having problems getting parts for the Airbus APU, was sufficient information for the arbitrator to rule that there will be no layoffs in the EMC. The company can use these employees in alternate employment or in other categories.
If you are in another category or have accepted alternate employment and need to obtain more information, please contact your shop committee.
We will continue to represent all of you and fight for your jobs.
In solidarity,
Tony Didoshak
General Chairperson, Western Region
