Workers for L3 Harris at CFB Trenton are to vote on switching from the International Association of Machinists (IAM) to the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA). The vote was ordered by the Canada Industrial Relations Board, a quasi-judicial federal tribunal. Should the vote result in a win for the AMFA, it would be the first local of the U.S.-based union in Canada. It is also their first attempt to organize in Canada.“This is the start of a new chapter for both AMFA and the AMEs in Canada,” said AMFA National President Bret Oestreich in a press release.
“The L3 Harris professionals feel that the aircraft maintenance trade requires distinct consideration at the bargaining table to address skill, training, licensing requirements, and legal responsibilities associated with the certification of aircraft airworthiness,” Oestreich added, saying that they were approached by the Trenton AMEs.
The L3 Harris AMEs at CFB Trenton service the RCAF’s CC150 Polaris fleet, comprising troop and VIP transport and aerial refueling aircraft. The Polaris aircraft were converted from Airbus A310 airliners first operated by Wardair before their merger with Canadian Airlines International in 1989 and then subsequently sold to the Canadian Armed Forces.