January 29, 2026
On January 26, 2026, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB or “Board”) denied a request filed by AMFA on behalf of Air Canada Tech Ops employees to suspend bargaining until the court has completed its judicial review and AMFA’s certification application dispute has been resolved.
Despite the previous defragmentation order, the Board found that the IAMAW could continue to exercise its authority as bargaining agent while AMFA’s application remains pending, but also acknowledged the current “difficulties the parties are experiencing.” The Board’s characterization understates the profound deterioration in the representational relationship between Tech Ops members and the IAMAW.
Last week, a separate panel of the Board found that the IAMAW violated its duty of fair representation to Tech Ops members after the union failed to provide honest grievance processing updates for nearly seven years. In efforts to combat the overwhelming AMFA presence within Tech Ops, the IAMAW has removed elected representatives from union positions and established a strategy to eliminate Tech Ops negotiators from the bargaining process. The IAMAW continues to use your dues to finance its frivolous litigation strategies that seek only to prolong the inevitable and oppose your rightful choice of representation.
How the bargaining process will proceed remains an open question, as the Board noted that the IAMAW and Air Canada could agree to suspend bargaining. Certainly, there is little incentive for Air Canada to bargain with the IAMAW knowing that once certified, AMFA will be entitled to repudiate any established agreements.
Although this is not the result we had hoped for, it is critical that you maintain the highest level of professionalism during this difficult period. As the CIRB and the Federal Court of Appeal resolve AMFA’s application, you have the right to competent representation from your current union. Members should closely monitor the IAMAW’s actions at the bargaining table and hold the union accountable by demanding clear answers and absolute transparency on all issues affecting Tech Ops employees. Do not hesitate to raise representational shortfalls directly to the IAMAW, the AMFA Organizing Committee, or the Board.
Thank you for your support and dedication. AMFA will continue to provide updates on the certification process as new information becomes available.
Sincerely,
Ian Evershed
Region IV Director
AMFA National
