The IAM Union is calling on MPs and Senators to oppose long-term private concessions at Canada’s largest airports and protect workers, good union jobs and the public interest.

Canada’s airports are critical public infrastructure, connecting communities, supporting jobs and keeping people and goods moving across the country. Decisions about how these essential facilities are operated must prioritize the public interest, not just private returns.

The proposed long-term private concessions at Toronto Pearson, Montréal-Trudeau, Vancouver International and Calgary International airports raise important concerns about the future of Canada’s airport system.

The IAM Union warns that privatizing airport operations could put pressure on fees, services and good union jobs. Workers who keep our airports running every day must have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their workplaces, livelihoods and the services Canadians rely on.

Take Action: Make Your Voice Heard

The IAM Union is urging members, workers and concerned Canadians to contact their Members of Parliament and Senators and ask them to oppose long-term private concessions at Canada’s largest airports.

Your voice matters. By sending a letter to your elected representatives, you can help raise awareness of what is at stake and call for decisions that protect workers, maintain accountability and keep Canada’s airports serving the public interest.

Take action today. Send a letter to your MP and Senators by clicking here.

Together, we can stand up for workers, protect good union jobs and defend Canada’s public interest.

Click here to learn more by reading “Public Runways, Private Profits: Why Airport Privatization Would Be Risky and Costly for Canadians” report prepared by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).

The IAM Union is deeply concerned about the Canadian government’s proposed legislation and the impact it could have on collective bargaining tables across the country.

Under proposed Bill C-39, during a strike, the Minister of Labour could direct the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to order the resumption of operations, extend an existing collective agreement on an interim basis, or establish a binding dispute-resolution mechanism if the Minister determines that a strike or lockout has a significant adverse impact on the “national interest.”

For the IAM, however, the fundamental issue remains: workers who have followed every legal requirement to exercise their right to strike could still have that right taken away by government intervention.

The purpose of a strike is to create economic pressure at the bargaining table. If the potential economic impact of a legal strike becomes the justification for ending that strike, the effectiveness of the right itself is placed in question.

Throughout the past year, the IAM, the Canadian Labour Congress and other Canadian unions made submissions in favour of the complete removal of Section 107 and the ability of the government to end legal strikes. Through this Bill C-39, the government has done the opposite and has further entrenched their ability to interfere.

“Through Bill C-39, the Canadian government has solidified their ability to end strikes and this will have a detrimental impact to free collective bargaining in this country. The IAM is calling on Members of Parliament to carefully examine the labour provisions of Bill C-39 and to ensure that any changes to the Canada Labour Code strengthen, rather than weaken, free collective bargaining.” said David Chartrand, IAM General Vice-President Canada.

Building Canada strong must also mean strong collective bargaining agreements and strong protections for working people.
The IAM will continue to fight for those principles and will oppose any measure that undermines workers’ ability to stand together and fight for a fair collective agreement.

The IAM Union is continuing to speak out against the federal government’s plans to bring private investment into the operation of Canada’s largest airports.

On September 22, Dave Flowers, President and Directing General Chairperson of IAM District 140, attended a press conference in Ottawa on behalf of the IAM Union to raise concerns about the impact of airport privatization on workers, travelers and communities across Canada.

The federal government has announced plans to seek private investment through long-term concessions to operate Canada’s four largest airports: Toronto Pearson, Vancouver International, Montréal-Trudeau and Calgary International. The government has said it will retain ownership of the land and assets while bringing in private capital and expertise to support airport operations and growth.

For the IAM Union, Canada’s airports are critical public infrastructure that should continue to serve the public interest.

“We represent tens of thousands of workers in airports and across the aviation industry in this country. We know airports and we know flying,” said Dave Flowers during the press conference.

Flowers emphasized that Canadian airports were built through public investment and that any shift toward private control raises concerns about affordability, accessibility, labour standards, regional connectivity, public oversight and safety.

“We need to make sure that Canada’s airports operate for a long-term public good rather than short-term private financial gain,” he said.

The IAM Union represents workers across Canada’s aviation sector who play an essential role in keeping the traveling public safe and keeping Canada’s air transportation system moving.

Watch Dave Flowers speak at the Ottawa press conference.

Sign the petition

The IAM Union has launched a national House of Commons petition calling on the Government of Canada to reject any proposal to privatize, sell or transfer ownership or control of Canadian airports to private, for-profit interests.

Sign the petition here.

The IAM Union will continue advocating for an aviation system that protects workers, travellers, communities and the public interest.