Air Canada Confirms Business as Usual Following IAMAW Vote

MONTREAL, Feb. 22, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada confirmed it is business as usual for the airline and that its customers can continue to book Air Canada flights with confidence, following the announcement today of results of a vote by members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW).  The membership did not ratify the tentative agreement reached by the Company and the union's Negotiating Committee on February 10, 2012, and concurrently gave union leadership a strike mandate if a subsequent agreement is not reached.

As a result of the vote, the conciliation commissioner, the Honourable Justice Louise Otis, will be filing her report to the Minister of Labour, the Honourable Lisa Raitt, for consideration and determining next steps.  Air Canada is confident that there is sufficient time for the parties to avoid a disruption.

The IAMAW represents the airline's approximately 8,600 mechanics, baggage handlers, cargo agents and certain finance and clerical staff.

The airline will provide further updates as developments warrant.


For further information:

Contacts :
Isabelle Arthur (Montréal)   514 422-5788
Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto)  416 263-5576
Angela Mah (Vancouver)   604 270-5741

Internet :  aircanada.com