Air Canada Dismantles Fuel Consortium
Hundreds of Airport Fuelers Lose Jobs!
Thursday May 7, 2015
DOWNLOAD OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Toronto, On – Air Canada walked away from long-term agreements with aviation fuel providers
in Montreal and Toronto this week. When it was joined by West Jet, Air Transat and others, it
meant the dismantling of the Canadian airline fuel consortium and the loss of hundreds of good
paying jobs.
“Consolidated Aviation Fueling informed me, that three years ago Air Canada signed a ten year
commitment, subject to senior Air Canada management approval, that Consolidated Aviation
Fueling, would provide its fuel in Montreal,” said IAM District Lodge 140 General Chairperson
George Kuehnl. “Wednesday afternoon, representatives of Allied Aviation, Consolidated’s
parent, informed members of IAM Local Lodge 2301 that 90 per cent of their jobs would be
terminated July 1st because Air Canada was switching to a non-union supplier – Swissport. Air
Canada broke its promises and walked away.”
Air Canada will exercise a similar move today in Toronto where it is responsible for more than
60 per cent of the fuel volume at Pearson International Airport. “The members of IAM Local
Lodge 2413 are going to be furious because Air Canada led us to believe they were committed to
Consolidated as its sole fuel provider,” explained an irate Michael Corrado, IAM District Lodge
140 General Chairperson.
The Montreal-Toronto fuel consortium is the oldest and most experienced in the country
supplying Canada’s major airlines for more than fifty years of first class services. “We have
members with as much as 47 years experience and now they’re faced with a job that has no
pension, no benefits and near minimum wage,” said Corrado. “Why do 300 people have to lose
their jobs just so an airline can squeeze another dollar into their pockets, it’s another example of
corporate greed.”
The IAM caught wind of Air Canada’s intentions as far back as mid-October 2014. In the first
week of December the IAM filed a Common Employer Application and Unfair Labour Practices
with the Canada Industrial Relations Board. “The IAM also asked the board for an interim order
requesting the prevention of any tendering of contracts which would affect members’ jobs, until
the board has reviewed the matter,” said IAM District Lodge 140 President and Directing
General Chairperson Fred Hospes. “Maybe this will light a fire under the board to get moving on
these applications.”
For further information:
Fred Hospes – IAM District Lodge 140 President & Directing General Chairperson
604-448-0721/778-829-8140
George Kuehnl – IAM District Lodge 140 General Chairperson
514-336-3031
Michael Corrado – IAM District Lodge 140 General Chairperson
905-671-3192
Bill Trbovich – IAM Director of Communications
416-386-1789 ext 6331/416-735-9765
