06/04/2026
Press Release: AMFA Leadership Meets With Canadian Decision-Makers
Jun 04, 2026
For Immediate Release
Contact: Ian Evershed, Region IV Director
Phone: (720) 760-5682
Email: [email protected]
Link: https://www.amfanational.org/index.cfm?zone=/unionactive/view_article.cfm&HomeID=996552
MISSISSAUGA, ON – June 4, 2026 – AMFA leadership, including AMFA National President Bret Oestreich, met this week with senior officials and political decision-makers in Ottawa to highlight members’ concerns about a range of issues facing the industry.
“AMEs and AMTs in Canada and the United States are facing many of the same challenges, and addressing those challenges requires ongoing dialogue with leaders in both countries,” said Oestreich.
Joined by AMFA Local 605 President Matt Finamore, Region IV Director Ian Evershed, and Government Affairs Director Rob Cush, the team met with several senior leaders in Ottawa, including:
* Secretary of State (Labour) Hon. John Zerucelli, PC, MP
* Deputy Minister Rob Wright, Department of Labour
* Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour, for Seniors, and for Children and Youth, and to the Minister of Jobs and Families (Persons with Disabilities) MP Leslie Church
* Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, MP Mike Kelloway
* Director, Transportation Safety Board (Canada), Craig Johnston
Major issues discussed included the ongoing review of the Canadian Labour Code, to which AMFA has submitted substantive suggestions for improvements; support from the Government of Canada for AMFA’s initiatives to recruit and train the next generation of AMEs; and the recent ruling by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) reversing its earlier decision that would allow the Air Canada TechOps employees to establish their own bargaining unit and ordering that more than 2,000 employee ballots be destroyed.
AMFA has taken legal action to stop the destruction of ballots and protect employees’ democratic right to choose their preferred bargaining agent. It is now able to report that the Federal Court of Appeal has ordered a temporary halt to the CIRB’s planned destruction of ballots until the Court can hear AMFA’s Application for Judicial Review. Although the ordered relief is an important short-term victory, the ballots remain at risk of destruction.
“The situation involving Air Canada’s AMEs and the CIRB is deeply frustrating to AMFA, and we recognize it presents challenges for government officials as well,” Finamore said. “We appreciate that so many leaders took the time to hear our concerns, and we understand that, while the matter is before the courts, there are limits to what they can say publicly. Our message was one of concern for AMEs being denied the opportunity to exercise their democratic rights and the potential impact this could have on labour relations at Air Canada and for AMEs across the country.”
AMFA will continue its close work with government decision-makers in Canada on behalf of all Canadian Aircraft Maintenance Professionals.
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The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association is a craft-oriented, independent aviation union representing Aircraft Maintenance Technicians/Engineers and related skilled trade groups in the aviation industry. These professionals work directly on aircraft, components, support equipment, and facilities. AMFA is committed to elevating the professional standing of technicians/engineers while achieving progressive improvements in wages, benefits, and working conditions for the skilled professionals it represents. For more information about AMFA visit www.amfanational.org.
