MONTREAL, June 30 /CNW Telbec/ - With ratification of all Air Canada`s
labour agreements in Canada now completed, Air Canada today announced that it
will achieve permanent labour cost reductions of $1.1 billion. Today, the Air
Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) representing the airline`s 3,150 mainline
pilots confirmed that its members have ratified their agreement with an
87 per cent majority.
In addition, Air Canada today finalized tentative agreements with the
International Brotherhood of Teamsters representing employees in the United
States realizing cost savings of $11 million. Tentative agreements have also
been reached with AMICUS and Transport and General Workers` Union (TGWU)
representing employees in the United Kingdom that will realize approximately
$22.8 million in cost savings.
Over the past three weeks agreements were ratified with the International
Association of Machinists and Aeropace Workers (IAMAW) representing 11,000
technical operations and airport ground service personnel, CUPE representing
6,700 flight attendants, the CAW Airline Division, representing 6,000 customer
sales and service agents and crew schedulers and CALDA, representing the
airline`s 100 flight dispatchers. Agreements were also ratified with all
unions representing Air Canada Jazz employees - the Airline Pilots Association
(ALPA), CALDA, CUPE and Teamsters Canada.
“I salute the people of Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz and thank them for
taking this necessary step in the face the most adverse market conditions this
industry has ever seen,” said Robert Milton, President and Chief Executive
Officer. “The ratification of our labour agreements is a lynchpin to
demonstrate to other stakeholders that the people of Air Canada are willing to
fight for our company`s future. By joining together, Air Canada`s people have
sent a powerful message to other stakeholders in Air Canada`s restructuring.
With the solid support of its employees and their union leadership, Air Canada
will emerge from CCAA stronger and well positioned to compete profitably in
the new environment.”
“Clearly, Air Canada`s employees are also saying that it is business as
usual for Air Canada`s customers. On their behalf, I thank our customers for
their continued support and encourage them to continue booking Air Canada with
confidence,” he said.
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