August 27, 2026
On August 19, 2026, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) released its decision on AMFA’s request for reconsideration that centered on the representation dispute and prior fragmentation award for the TechOps employees at Air Canada.
The request has been denied by the exact same panel that overturned Vice Chairperson Roland Hackl’s original decision, which fragmented TMOS group, awarded TechOps employees a distinct unit, and ordered a representation vote. The Reconsideration Panel was once again led by the CIRB Chairperson Maryse Tremblay, former Air Canada and career-long employer attorney, who boldly declared herself “not biased.” This is the second instance in as many years where Tremblay has failed to recuse herself from labour disputes in which she has a previous relationship with the employer. In 2025, Air Canada flight attendants called for her resignation after Tremblay continued to lead Board proceedings throughout a very public and heated work disruption between Air Canada and CUPE.
The results of the TechOps representative vote remain sealed; however, the overwhelming majority who voted had already signed an AMFA membership card and paid more than the statutorily required fee in expression of their support. The voices of TechOps have once again been silenced by the power of CLC, FETCO, and the CIRB. Air Canada had every opportunity to publicly support their employees in the pursuit of a Craft Union that understands the skill and expertise required of Aviation professionals, but rather they stood silent and allowed the likes of FETCO, Unifor, and the CLC to weigh in on a dispute in which they had no business intervening. How is it that the positions of corporations and Big Unions are found to be relevant while the voices of individual members held prisoner by the IAM are ignored? The dysfunction of the CIRB must be addressed.
In its decision, the Reconsideration Panel fails to acknowledge the core issue—community of interest. It also ignores the true dysfunction of a bargaining unit dominated by a single sub-group and dismisses the many failures of the IAMAW. Perhaps Vice Chairperson Hackl understood those issues more clearly because of his many years working the frontlines in rail and his involvement with the railroad unions. His education and experience in labour relations make him far more suitable to render a decision about bargaining unit construction than an employer attorney who has been appointed to a position with a singular mandate of maintaining “labour stability.” It appears that labour stability is more important than justice and democracy. Tremblay’s bias is reflected in her decades-long career and her recent decisions that favour her former employer; it is not something she can opt out of by self-serving claims of integrity.
The decision has been made; this battle has been lost. But let there be no misunderstanding — the war is not over. Many of us gave our time, energy, and conviction to pursuing this goal. That work was not in vain. We have accomplished something no one can take away: this group is more united today than ever and we will continue to fight despite the current result. Make your voice heard — express your displeasure against the tyranny of this ruling in hope that justice will eventually prevail.
Ian Evershed
Region IV Director, AMFA National
