Air Canada AMEs and tech groups seek better representation.

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lupin
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Air Canada AMEs and tech groups seek better representation.

Post by lupin »

https://amfanational.medium.com/aircraf ... 240bb42aa0

Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and Skilled Trade Groups at Air Canada
Seek Representation by AMFA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Bret Oestreich, National President

Phone: (720) 744–6628

Email: bret.oestreich@amfanatl.org

CENTENNIAL, Colo. — March 2, 2023 — The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) continues to expand its footprint in Canada as Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) and skilled trade groups at Air Canada recently sought union representation with AMFA.

AMFA was first certified as the bargaining agent in Canada last year at L3 Harris MAS. In January, AMFA filed an application with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) seeking representation of the AMEs at WestJet Airlines, and today filed after another grassroots organizing campaign for the AMEs and skilled trade groups at Air Canada.

“For decades, the needs of AMEs and skilled trade groups have been pushed to the side and their wages stifled by other larger workgroups lumped together in the same bargaining units,” says AMFA National President Bret Oestreich. “AMFA is different. It continues to be the voice to promote, elevate, and unify Aircraft Maintenance Technicians/Engineers and skilled airline trade groups in North America as the only ‘one-craft union.’”

Oestreich says that Air Canada AMEs and skilled trade groups feel their trade requires distinct, focused bargaining that can address the deteriorating work rules and suppressed wages in their craft. AMFA points to a wage comparison to show the need for the carrier to recognize the importance of these highly skilled professionals to its operations and public trust.

As well, Oestreich says that Air Canada AMEs and skilled trade groups feel they require a distinct bargaining unit to address skill, training, licensing requirements, and legal responsibilities associated with the certification of aircraft airworthiness.

“AMFA is honored to have the opportunity to represent and advocate for this professional group.”

Air Canada is the largest airline in Canada by size and passengers carried. The airline, founded in 1937, provides scheduled and charter air transport for passengers and cargo to more than 200 destinations worldwide. As of January 2023, Air Canada and rouge operates a fleet of 233 aircraft, all Airbus and Boeing.

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The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association is a craft oriented, independent aviation union. AMFA represents licensed and unlicensed technicians and related employees actively involved in the aviation industry. These technicians and related employees work directly on aircraft and/or components, support equipment, and facilities. AMFA is committed to elevating the professional standing of technicians and to achieving progressive improvements in wages, benefits, and working conditions of the skilled folks it represents. For more information about AMFA visit www.amfanational.org.
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lupin
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Re: Air Canada AMEs and tech groups seek better representation.

Post by lupin »

Press release by AMFA re AC

AIRCRAFT MECHANICS FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION National Office: 7853 E. Arapahoe Court, Suite 1100 • Centennial, CO 80112 Tel: 303.752.AMFA (2632) • Fax: 303.362.7736 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Bret Oestreich, National President Phone: (720) 744-6628 Email: bret.oestreich@amfanatl.org

Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and Skilled Trade Groups at Air Canada Seek Representation by AMFA

CENTENNIAL, Colo. – March 2, 2023 – The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) continues to expand its footprint in Canada as Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) and skilled trade groups at Air Canada have sought union representation with AMFA.

AMFA was first certified as the bargaining agent in Canada last year at L3 Harris MAS. In January, AMFA filed an application with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) seeking representation of the AMEs at WestJet Airlines, and today filed after another grassroots organizing campaign for the AMEs and skilled trade groups at Air Canada.

“For decades, the needs of AMEs and skilled trade groups have been pushed to the side and their wages stifled by other larger workgroups lumped together in the same bargaining units,” says AMFA National President Bret Oestreich. “AMFA is different. It continues to be the voice to promote, elevate, and unify Aircraft Maintenance Technicians/Engineers and skilled airline trade groups in North America as the only ‘one-craft union.’”

Oestreich says that Air Canada AMEs and skilled trade groups feel their trade requires distinct, focused bargaining that can address the deteriorating work rules and suppressed wages in their craft. AMFA points to a wage comparison to show the need for the carrier to recognize the importance of these highly skilled professionals to its operations and public trust.

As well, Oestreich says that Air Canada AMEs and skilled trade groups feel they require a distinct bargaining unit to address skill, training, licensing requirements, and legal responsibilities associated with the certification of aircraft airworthiness.

“AMFA is honored to have the opportunity to represent and advocate for this professional group.”
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lupin
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Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2005 8:26 am

Re: Air Canada AMEs and tech groups seek better representation.

Post by lupin »

The application for ousting the IAM which is the present bargaining agent for AMEs at AC is at the Canadian Industrial Relations Board. What is sought is to break up the present bargaining unit where the Aircraft Maintenance group and other trades are represented within a group that includes Airports Ground handling and Cargo within the same group. The Airports group is approximately 3 times as large as the maintenance group.

The end result is that the AMEs do not have any agency in controlling their work conditions. Since the present bargaining unit is overwhelmingly tilted toward the airport group, if all AMEs voted against a contract, it would still go through if there are sufficient items that advantages the airport group.

This is an attempt to obtain proper representation.
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