MONTREAL — Air Canada has announced two significant labour developments, reaching a tentative collective agreement with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) while also confirming the ratification of a new four-year contract with Unifor.

The tentative agreement with the IAMAW covers more than 11,000 Air Canada employees working in Maintenance, Cabin Services, Airport Airside Operations, Cargo, Finance and Clerical roles across Canada.

According to Air Canada, the agreement recognizes the contributions and skills of its operations and administrative employees. Specific terms remain confidential pending ratification by union members and approval by Air Canada’s board of directors. The ratification process is expected to be completed over the next several weeks.

The announcement comes as Air Canada’s customer service employees have ratified a separate collective bargaining agreement with Unifor.

That agreement applies to about 6,000 employees across like contact centres, customer relations, concierges and other business segments. 

The four-year agreement is in effect until Feb. 28, 2030.  

The airline says it marks the third collective agreement ratified this year, following ones with flight operations crew schedulers and in-flight crew schedulers. 

Unifor says the agreement delivers strong gains, including 21 per cent in compounded wage increases, strengthened pensions, greater job security and more. 

The union says the agreement will see a 12 per cent wage increase in the first year, followed by annual increases of three per cent in each of the next three years, as well as a signing bonus upon ratification. 

With files from The Canadian Press

Lead image caption: Grounded Air Canada planes at Pearson International Airport, April 28, 2021 — Credit THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette