IAM Union Calls on Prime Minister Carney to Put Workers and the Public Interest First
The IAM Union is calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney and the federal government to reconsider plans to bring private investment into the operation of Canada’s largest airports.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, IAM Union Canada General Vice-President David Chartrand expressed the union’s strong opposition to long-term private concessions for Toronto Pearson, Montréal-Trudeau, Vancouver International and Calgary International airports.
The IAM represents thousands of workers across Canada’s aviation and air transportation sectors. Every day, IAM members help keep Canada’s aviation system safe, efficient and moving, from airport operations and maintenance to security and other essential services.
The union is concerned that transferring the operation of these critical airports to private investors would amount to privatization in substance, even if the federal government retains ownership of the underlying land and assets.
“Airports are not ordinary commercial assets. They are essential public infrastructure,” said Chartrand. “Decisions about their operation must be driven by the public interest, not by the expectations of private investors and shareholders.”
The IAM is also raising concerns about the potential impact on workers and travellers. Private operators will face pressure to generate financial returns, which could lead to increased user fees, cost-cutting, restructuring and contracting out of work.
The union believes there are other ways to improve airport financing, infrastructure investment, governance and affordability without placing the operation of critical national infrastructure under long-term private concessions.
Workers must also have a meaningful voice in any discussions about the future of Canada’s airports. The people who operate, maintain, secure and support this infrastructure understand its challenges and opportunities firsthand.
The IAM is calling for a meeting with Prime Minister Carney and the appropriate members of his government to discuss these concerns and ensure that workers’ voices are heard before any further decisions are made.
The IAM Union will continue to defend strong public infrastructure, good union jobs and an aviation system that serves Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
1) IAM Union Speaks Out in Ottawa Against Airport Privatization
2) IAM Union Responds to Federal Airport Privatization Plans
