Aircraft maintenance employees from Air Canada held a rally outside YVR Tuesday to denounce a recent ruling by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB).
The employees say the ruling blocks members from leaving the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (I.A.M.), and thereby undermines their democratic rights and ability to choose who represents them.
Members say that for decades, they felt as if their needs weren’t being met by the I.A.M. Their members then decided to join the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), only for the CIRB to reverse course and order the destruction of over 2000 ballots cast by union members.
With the I.A.M. having declared an impasse in negotiations with Air Canada, employees fear they could be caught in a labour dispute with a union they do not support.
The employees are urging Ottawa to examine how the CIRB came to the decision, which they believe has compromised a democratic process.