GOVERNMENT FAILING FORMER CANADIAN AIRLINES PILOTS

June 11, 2001

OTTAWA-Former Canadian Alliance Chief Transportation Critic, Jay Hill continued his pursuit of fair treatment for the pilots of Canadian Airlines following it’s government approved merger with Air Canada.   

In an exchange during Friday’s question period, Hill asked whether the Minister would “concede that the Mitchnick Award is punitive, keep his word, and ensure that the former Canadian Airlines pilots receive fair treatment?” 

The issue of fair treatment was one of the conditions set out by the Minister prior to recommending changes to legislation that would allow Air Canada to acquire the vast assets of its former competitor, Canadian Airlines. Both the Minister of Transport and the President of Air Canada, Robert Milton gave assurances that the employees of Canadian Airlines would be welcomed and integrated into the new company. Despite these assurances the Minister continues to abdicate his responsibility for the former employees of Canadian Airlines. 

In his response to the question, the Minister stated that “.. this is a matter that is between parties. The two unions in question agreed to an arbitrator. They agreed to accept the arbitration award. As such, the Minister of Labour and myself as Minister of Transport have no direct jurisdiction. If there is dissatisfaction with the result of the arbitration award, then there is recourse for the parties to the courts.” 

“The situation that the former employees of Canadian Airlines find themselves in is a direct result of action taken by the Liberal Government in allowing the two airlines to become one.” continued Hill “When you are the party responsible for creating a monopoly situation, you have a responsibility to ensure that there are sufficient constraints to ensure the rights of everyone involved are protected. The Government failed to do so and as a result, they have failed the former employees of Canadian Airlines.”