Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Air Canada and Air Transat have announced that they have concluded a definitive Arrangement Agreement that provides for Air Canada’s acquisition of all issued and outstanding shares of Air Transat.
As communicated in Bulletin No. 23 issued on June 4, 2019, any acquisition arrangement would require regulatory approvals.
The IAMAW does not have the ability to determine the outcome of the proposed acquisition. Air Canada and Transat are the only two parties to the agreement and are the only parties who can determine the outcome, subject to obtaining the required regulatory approvals.
Transportation District 140 is the bargaining agent for all IAMAW members at both Air Canada and Transat. The IAMAW fully commits to represent all of our members at both companies fairly and equally.
Any changes to the IAMAW collective agreements must be bargained between the respective companies and the IAMAW. All changes of corporate ownership that involve unionized workers are subject to compliance with the Canada Labour Code, and any resultant collective agreements and/or work group mergers are subject to oversight and approval by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board.
The shape and scope of the IAMAW bargaining unit at Air Canada/Transat will be determined by the new corporate structure and collective bargaining between the IAMAW and Air Canada/Transat.
At this time both companies will continue to operate separately under their existing structure for the foreseeable future. The two IAMAW bargaining units cannot be merged or have their working conditions altered unless agreements have been bargained.
At this date there are many more questions than answers regarding the acquisition of Transat by Air Canada or any of the great many issues that will arise as a result of this acquisition.
As such, Transportation District 140 will issue future updates through our website and communication channels as we become aware of new information relevant to this acquisition.
In Solidarity,
Fred Hospes
President & Directing General Chairperson
