May 6, 2026

On May 6, 2026, a reconsideration panel of the Canada Industrial Relation Board (CIRB) reversed a previous decision that had fragmented the Air Canada Technical, Maintenance, and Operational Support (TMOS) Unit in recognition of the community of interest shared by Tech Ops employees. The new decision has revoked the order of the original panel and has also ordered the destruction of employee votes cast during the May 2025 representation election. Maryse Tremblay, former Air Canada outside counsel, sat as chairperson on the reconsideration panel.

The Board’s reversal of its own decision is practically unheard of. A reconsideration panel is prohibited from re-weighing evidence or substituting its own judgement for that of the original panel.  But that is precisely what the reconsideration panel did here. It found that the decision of the original panel was not supported with sufficient evidence of labour relations dysfunction. The evidence of dysfunction before the original panel included violent threats made by union officers against their own employees, confirmed breaches of the union’s duty of fair representation, and a long history of discriminatory treatment of skilled maintenance employees.

AMFA views the Board’s reversal as a stunning act of political power.  The new Board order advances the interests of large employers and industrial unions at the expense of working men and women.  It is a brutal triumph of might over right.  The decision ignores the democratic will of thousands of employees who sought their own bargaining unit and representation within a trade-specific union.

AMFA urges all affected Air Canada employees to remain calm in the face of this tremendous setback and maintain the highest levels of professionalism.  AMFA is committed to challenging the reconsideration decision through all appropriate legal avenues, including proceedings before the CIRB and the Federal Court of Appeal. It continues to place its faith in the rule of law and in the hope that justice will prevail. AMFA asks all Air Canada employees to do the same.

Thank you for your support and dedication. AMFA will continue to provide updates on the new legal challenges as information becomes available.

Sincerely,

Bret Oestreich
National President