December 28, 2025
As the below members of the Air Canada TechOps Negotiations Subcommittee, we believe it is necessary to speak publicly and collectively about the current bargaining environment and the serious concerns it raises for Technical Operations (TechOps) employees.
It is our considered opinion that any attempt by the IAMAW to proceed with collective bargaining at this time would be both illegitimate and contrary to the Canada Labour Code.
Over the past year, the two-table bargaining structure that TechOps members fought to preserve over four previous rounds of negotiations, has been dismantled. In its place, the IAMAW has imposed a so-called “advisory” committee structure that strips TechOps employees of meaningful representation by their duly elected representatives. This change was not the result of member consent, nor was it accompanied by any transparent terms of reference explaining how appointed IAMAW executives would conduct negotiations on our behalf.
On September 23, 2024, the IAMAW International placed District Lodge 140 under supervision, permitting the suspension of district bylaws and centralizing decision-making authority. Since that time, repeated requests from the TechOps advisory subcommittee for clarity, transparency, and accountability have gone unanswered. In our view, this lack of disclosure demonstrates a disregard for the representational rights and best interests of TechOps employees.
These concerns are not speculative. In its November 18, 2025, decision, the Canada Industrial Relations Board directly addressed the IAMAW’s current bargaining structure. At paragraph [114], the Board stated:
“While the IAMAW submits that this step was taken to improve its relationship with technical operations members, it nevertheless highlights the difficulty of managing divergent interests that underline true conflict between the roles and responsibilities of two distinct groups within the same bargaining unit and raises concerns as to the ability of members of the Maintenance group to secure meaningful representation going forward.”
Despite this clear warning from the Board, the IAMAW has publicly indicated its intention to serve a notice to bargain with Air Canada. On December 22, 2025, AMFA filed a Request for Immediate Assistance with the CIRB seeking a stay to prevent the IAMAW from proceeding with negotiations. The filing notes that, while certification proceedings remain pending, the Canada Labour Code prohibits any party from attempting to alter existing terms and conditions of employment without the Board’s express consent.
Any attempt by the IAMAW to bargain under these circumstances would appear to violate the Code and undermine the integrity of the labour relations process. Air Canada has stated that it will not be bargaining with the TechOps members while certification issues remain unresolved.
As the below TechOps representatives entrusted by our coworkers, we cannot support or legitimize a bargaining process that denies meaningful representation, subverts democratic principles, disregards Board guidance, and proceeds in defiance of the Canada Labour Code. To do so would be a disservice to the very employees we were elected to represent.
We call on the IAMAW to respect the law, the authority of the CIRB, and the democratic rights of Air Canada TechOps employees. Any future bargaining must only occur once representation issues are lawfully resolved and once TechOps members are assured of genuine, independent, and accountable representation at the bargaining table.
Respectfully,
Members of the Air Canada TechOps Negotiations Subcommittee
Signed Decmber 28th 2025
Steve Grigoropoulos
Mark Pozzobon
Terrance Crocker
Geoff Murdoch
Nathan Gudmundson
Trevor Drennan
Tarlock Bhachu
