International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers: The Senate Must Now Amend Bill C-10

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 1, 2016) - "Now we will move forward and lobby with the senate," said IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall following the passage of Bill C-10 in the House of Commons late today.

"C-10 changes the Air Canada Public Participation Act to allow Air Canada to change the type and volume of any or all of its aircraft maintenance work as well as the level of employment," explained Pickthall." This gives Air Canada a Free Pass without protecting the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul - MRO industry in Canada."

The Bill passed third and final reading after the Transportation Committee made no amendments despite extensive lobbying by the IAM two weeks ago.

"We thought that the Transportation Committee had heard enough testimony to make amendments to the act," said Pickthall. "It's clear that the Liberal members of the committee have accepted Air Canada at its word instead of getting commitments in writing." The government has bought into vague promises by Air Canada that it will create a Centre of Excellence for the newly acquired Bombardier C Series 300 airliners and that it will do heavy maintenance on this aircraft in Quebec for 20 years following the delivery of the first aircraft in 2019. "This is very disappointing for the future of workers in this industry in Canada," said Pickthall.

"Under the current act, Air Canada is required to perform aircraft heavy maintenance in Winnipeg, Mississauga and Montreal but it broke the law and conducted this work outside of the country," explained Pickthall. "Now this government is about to change the law so Air Canada won't have to break it and the government won't have to enforce it."

The IAM intends to lobby the senate in the coming weeks, to ensure that amendments to the Bill are added to protect the MRO industry in Canada.