The company had no intentions to open the process and did not want to meet with the Committee.

A series of letters of intent and clarification were tabled by Air Canada for discussion. They once again made it very clear, they would not entertain any items of cost. Their letters were to address some of our concerns on Outsourcing, Aveos stability, Labour Relations and Pension matters. This offer is their final offer.

It is with concern for our members that we will be bringing these changes along with the tentative agreement back to vote on. There will be two votes, one on the tentative agreement with the changes, and one for a strike mandate.

Voting will take place on July 14, 2009 across the country in all stations.

We ask that you make sure you get out and vote.

This vote is very important to your livelihood

In solidarity,

Gary Sinclair
General Chairperson – Central Region
Negotiations Co-Chairperson

Starting Friday June 19^th, IAMAW members employed by Air Canada will vote on their new tentative collective agreement. Chuck Atkinson is aware that emotions will run high at these meetings because of the frustration many members feel toward management and the company. Atkinson is asking the members to examine the agreement carefully and try to put emotion aside in order to make an informed decision….

The committee comprised of Sister Rhonda MacLachlan (YYZ), Brother Ron Mckelvie (YVR), Sister Frances Pion (YUL) and General Chairperson Paul Lefebvre, have worked through many long days and nights since late May. Together they succeeded in reaching a new twenty-one (21) month Collective Agreement with the company that provides some enhancements, while securing all members working futures.

Simultaneous and separate discussions were held between Air Canada, all Unions and Retiree representatives regarding Pensions. The Federal Government had appointed retired Judge James Farley to assist in these negotiations.  Judge Farley has requested that all parties keep the details of the tentative Pension agreement confidential at this time.  Suffice to say that when it is finalized, all of your present Pension benefits, including past and future service credits, will be protected.

The following are highlights of the new agreement:

-          No wage or benefit concessions
-          Wage progressions to continue as per Collective Agreement
-          LOA week will be maintained
-          Vacation Purchase Plan (VPP) reinstated through 2010 &2011
-          Committee formed to identify and bring new work into Bargaining Unit
-          New Company commitment to Job Security provisions.
-          Improved shift scheduling language
-          No member transition to AVEOS during agreement

Your Committee unanimously recommends acceptance of the deal.  We are now finalizing the details with the company and will provide this information to you once completed. This will allow you to make an informed decision when you participate in the upcoming ratification voting process.  Stay tuned for the date, time, and location near you, which will be posted once the logistics are worked-out.  We thank all of you for your continued patience and support.

In Solidarity,

Your IAM Clerical Negotiations Committee

We were forced to bargain in a cost neutral arena, which made it extremely difficult to reach an agreement.
There were no concessions. We will not be owners of the airline. The equity piece of the moratorium on the pension plan will be credited to the pension plan itself.

This tentative agreement provides for the following and must be ratified by our members:

1. A moratorium on the pension plan that will provide for no changes to your pension benefits, no loss of service.
2. The company will not have to make past service payments for the 21 months. They will continue to make current service payments. The Union agrees to go with the other Unions and the company to lobby the government.
3. Executive compensation and pension plan frozen until 2013.
4. Job Security – Jazz work below the wing.
5. No Transition to Aveos for the duration of the extension.
6. 200-Hour Time Bank – A reduction in hours from 200 to 100. Changes that allow for payout of hours in the bank.
7. Overtime Bypass – Changes in the penalty for bypasses
8. Seniority Date – Station Attendants and CSCA – Article 6.03.02.14
9. Sick Part-Shift – going home sick while on duty
10. Vacation Purchase Plan – Ability to purchase extra vacation
11. Boot Allowance – Ability to get allowance split annually at $40.00 without a receipt beginning first pay period in January.
12. Collective Agreement Review Committee – Committee to be set up for review of articles within the collective agreement for language changes.
13. Payment of Doctors Notes
14. Recovery of Overpayments – Changes in how the company recovers overpayments
15. Retirement Phase-in/Part-Time SA, CSCA, CSA
16. Shop Committee Time Clearance (YOW and YEG) 20 hours per week.
17. Acting and Permanent Management Assignment – Changes to Article 16.11.07
18. Training – Credits for training while not on shift.
19. Small Bases will revert to mainline rates, no changes to work rules

We appreciate your continued support.

In solidarity,

Gary Sinclair
General Chairperson – Central Region, DL140
Negotiations Co-Chairperson

TORONTO, June 9 /CNW/ – After weeks of intense negotiations three unions – CAW, IAMAW and CALDA – have reached a tentative agreement with Air Canada. The agreement was reached with the assistance of federal government appointed mediator Justice James Farley whose mandate was to help the unions solve
challenges related to pension funding.

Included in the portion on pensions is an agreement with Pionairs, the group representing more than 15,000 retired Air Canada workers. “We went into these negotiations with the goal of protecting our pensions, our collective agreements and job security without making concessions and we’ve been successful,” explained IAMAW District 140 President and Directing General Chairperson Chuck Atkinson.

The agreement includes a 21 month past service funding deferral on the pension plan and a number of non-monetary improvements meant to address work-life issues. The Defined Benefit pension plan remains intact with benefits protected and no other concessions were made. “Our primary aim was to protect the future of our employees and retirees, and this has been achieved by safeguarding the pension plan and the collective agreement,” said CAW Local 2002 President Leslie Dias.

The CAW’s current collective agreement expired on May 31 and the agreement with the IAMAW and CALDA both expire at the end of this month. “All of the unions recognized the financial challenges faced by Air Canada and showed determination to make progress for their members, even during difficult times,” said Peggy Nash, assistant to the CAW National President.

CALDA represents 70 flight dispatchers, the CAW represents 4,500 customer service agents and the IAMAW represents 12,300 technical, maintenance and operational support workers.

Negotiations continue with the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) representing approximately 3,200 pilots and CUPE representing approximately 6,700 flight attendants.

Toronto, ON – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Air Canada’s largest union, says it is willing to work with newly appointed mediator James Farley.

Farley, a former Ontario Supreme Court judge who presided over the airline’s court-protected restructuring in 2003 and 2004, has been appointed by Ottawa to help mediate the pension dispute between Air Canada and its unions and retirees.

“We’re surprised that the federal government would intervene in talks that haven’t broken down yet,” explained IAMAW District 140 President and Directing General Chairperson Chuck Atkinson. “There’s a lot at stake here for all parties involved and if James Farley can assist in bringing the dispute to a satisfactory conclusion that ensures the protection of our pensions, collective agreements and the interests of our members, we welcome his expertise.”

The IAMAW represents more than 10,000 members at Air Canada including those who work in Technical Maintenance and Operational Support, Finance and Clerical divisions.

IAMAW, among the largest industrial trade unions in North America, represents more than 700,000 active and retired members, and administers more than 5,000 contracts in transportation, woodworking, aerospace, manufacturing and defense related industries.

Government of Canada Appoints Mediator in Air Canada Pension Talks

The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today announced that the Honourable James Farley, Q.C., has been asked to mediate between Air Canada, its unions and its retiree associations in devising a sustainable path for the airline company’s pension plan.

“Mr. Farley is a recognized authority on Air Canada’s corporate structure and its challenges,” said Minister Flaherty. “The Government has mandated Mr. Farley to seek a solution acceptable to all parties in respect of the pension and other issues Air Canada faces in this difficult economic climate.”

In 2003, Mr. Farley, a former Ontario Superior Court Justice, presided over insolvency proceedings that granted Air Canada protection from its creditors under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act while the company restructured.

Air Canada’s pension plan is subject to federal regulation under the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985.

Your negots team has been meeting non stop directly with the company since Monday June 01, 2009.

We were asked to meet and discuss coming to an agreement on the company’s need for Labour peace. We met throughout the day Monday until 02:00 Tuesday morning discussing issues not related to the pension plan. The company brought Aveos in to the discussions as some of the items are of concern to them. The process is very long, tiring and extremely trying on the teams’ patience as we explain our position to both groups.

There are some very contentious issues being discussed and as of the printing tonight of this we are stalled. We will resume our talks tomorrow. As you all know, the media is kept well informed about the severity of not coming to an agreement on Labour peace, yet so far movement on our issues is slow and cumbersome.

Our discussions have been severely challenged by the company’s financial situation and the views our members who are tired of hearing how bad the situation is with the company.

As quoted in one of the national papers, “Right now, unfortunately, there’s no trust between employees and management and that’s something that takes a long time to rebuild,” said Chuck Atkinson, president of District 140. We definitely see that here today.

Are they even interested in rebuilding that trust?

We will keep you informed as events unfold.

Gary Sinclair

Negots Co-Chair, District 140 General Chairperson

For Immediate Release

Toronto, ON – Air Canada’s largest union says the company must change the way it operates if it wants an agreement! That’s the consensus from the three bargaining committees of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers who are meeting with company officials today.

“There has to be paradigm shift by the management of Air Canada and the Board of Directors of ACE Aviation in the way the airline operates,” said Chuck Atkinson, President of IAMAW District 140. “We are the largest stakeholders in this airline and it’s time Robert Milton and his Board realize it’s the workers and not the shareholders who are its most valuable asset. Management must be prepared to include our members as full partners in this airline.”

‘We are willing to work with them, the other unions and the retirees to ensure that the pension plan is protected,” added Atkinson. “Our members are tired of being ignored, we want input in the control of our future and the first step toward a brighter future for this airline is management’s acceptance of that right.”

The IAMAW represents more than ten thousand workers at Air Canada including heavy and line aircraft maintenance mechanics, cargo agents, millwrights, electricians, inspectors, technical writers, baggage handlers, instructors, cabin groomers, aircraft cleaners, logistics, supply, clerical and finance personnel.

IAMAW, among the largest industrial trade unions in North America, represents more than 700,000 active and retired members, and administers more than 5,000 contracts in transportation, woodworking, aerospace, manufacturing and defense-related industries.