Lay-off, here’s what you need to know.

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You may have gotten a notice that you are now on Off Duty Status (ODS), or lay-off, here’s what you need to know.
  • Even if you are on ODS, you can still apply for EI. Start your application the day you receive your notice. Do not wait.
  • You do not need to wait for your employer to issue an ROE, but you will need the last three  pay stubs.
If you need help don’t hesitate to contact your union rep or HR for help.
Here’s what you need to before you start:
  1. All applications are online
  2. For EI regular benefits, you will need the following personal information:
  • your Social Insurance Number (SIN). If your SIN begins with a 9, you need to supply proof of your immigration status and work permit.
  • your mother’s maiden name.
  • your mailing and residential addresses, including the postal codes.
  • your complete banking information to sign up for direct deposit, including the financial institution name, bank branch number, and account number
  • names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation for all your employers over the last 52 weeks
  • your detailed version of the facts (if you quit or have been dismissed from any job in the last 52 weeks)
  • the dates, Sunday to Saturday, and earnings for each of your highest paid weeks of insurable earnings in the last 52 weeks or since the start of your last EI claim, whichever is the shorter period. This information will be used, along with your Record(s) of Employment, to calculate your benefit rate.

If you are reactivating an existing claim:

  • the salary amount you received, before deductions, for the last week you worked (from Sunday to your last day of work), including insurable tips and commissions
  • any other amount you received or will receive (such as vacation pay, severance pay, pension payments, pay in lieu of notice, and other money)

COVID-19 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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TO ALL IAMAW MEMBERS COVID-19 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

All employers in the aviation sector have been dramatically affected by government directives enacted as part of the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The steps taken to date include recommendations that Canadians avoid all non-essential international travel, including to the United States, and directing all international travel to just four Canadian airports. To offset the adverse impact on the air transportation sector, the federal government has provided $331 million to aid the air transportation sector, given the national importance of air transportation. We are awaiting details about how this money will be used.

During these unprecedented and extremely challenging times, our members have been asking many questions in this ever-changing environment.

In an effort to assist our members, below are important answers to frequently asked questions. As developments arise in this continuously evolving environment, additions or changes will be updated as they become available.

Q1: Are we being laid off?

A: Many airlines and aviation service providers have announced reductions of their workforce. For some of our members this has resulted in a reduction of hours worked, for others it has led to lay- offs, while members who are Air Canada employees have been placed on off-duty status (ODS). Protocols for lay-offs are outlined in your collective agreement, and you should speak with your Chief Shop Steward, or the Senior Steward for details. Air Canada members should contact their General Chairperson or Shop Committee to answer your questions about your particular circumstances.

Q2: How do I get my Record of Employment (ROE)?
A: You should contact HR to ensure an ROE has been issued. We recommend you also ask whether your employer issues ROEs electronically or in paper form.

The employer has up to five calendar days after the end of the pay period in which an interruption of earnings occurred to issue ROEs.

If an ROE is issued on paper, the employer has to issue the ROE within five calendar days of:

  • the first day of an interruption of earnings; or,
  • the day the employer becomes aware of an interruption of earnings.

English Bulletin No. 022_EN

French Bulletin No. 022_FR

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CANADA EMERGENCY WAGE SUBSIDY (CEWS)

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TO ALL IAMAW AIR CANADA MEMBERS (TMOS, FINANCE & CLERICAL) CANADA EMERGENCY WAGE SUBSIDY (CEWS)

Dear Brothers & Sisters:

The IAMAW along with the other Air Canada Unions entered into a Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) arrangement with Air Canada.

This new arrangement brings members on Off-Duty Status (ODS), or who were laid off after March 15, 2020, back onto the Air Canada payroll. Members will have the option of receiving a wage through the CEWS program, or applying for the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), if they are better served financially through CERB. Members cannot receive both a wage through the CEWS and CERB benefits, but can select one of the options depending on which program offers a better financial benefit.

Under this arrangement members will:

  • Be returned onto Air Canada’s payroll
  • Receive a maximum of $847 per week (75% regular weekly earnings, which will not exceed $ 847 per week)
  • Receive health care benefit continuation (as per the collective agreement)
  • Have pension contributions deducted based on all amounts paid
  • Receive lump sum payments due under IAM Agreements paid on the normal schedule
  • See the cessation of employee wage claw back deductions during this period
  • See the cessation of employee uniform deductions during this period
  • Be given the option to remain in employment and receive wages under the CEWS program or to remain on off-duty status without pay, and apply for the CERB

    This arrangement will cease on the earlier of June 6, 2020 or when a member is recalled back to work.

    Under this arrangement the IAMAW along with the other Air Canada Unions will support Air Canada to secure further government relief due to the effects of the COVID-19 crisis.

    In Solidarity,

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Fred Hospes, President & Directing General Chairperson Transportation District 140, IAMAW
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English Bulletin No. 021_EN

French Bulletin No. 021_FR

Support Workers

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April 3, 2020

SENT VIA E-MAIL

Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
Hon. Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Hon. Christine Elliott, Minister of Health

Dear Premier Ford, Minister McNaughton, and Minister Elliott:

A call for decisive action by Ontario’s workers’ compensation system to support workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic

As the representatives of working people from a broad range of sectors, representing more than a million Ontario workers, and advocating on behalf of all workers in the province, we write to outline the needed actions and responses of Ontario’s workers’ compensation system, as related to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

As you know, COVID-19 has confronted our province with unprecedented challenges. Our members have risen to these challenges and are providing, essential services in healthcare, transportation, retail, critical infrastructure construction and other sectors vital to the health of Ontarians and the functioning of economy. We have come together to call on you to ensure that just as we are there for our province, you are there for us. This letter focuses on the need for Ontario’s workers’ compensation system to step up and contribute fully to the COVID-19 response.

We need you to understand the vital role that workers’ compensation plays for our members as well as for thousands of vulnerable non-unionized workers performing essential services. These workers are risking their health and for some, their lives, by carrying out their work responsibilities. To do this, they must be confident that if they become sick from COVID-19 or must be isolated due to occupational exposure to this virus, they will have the full protection of the workers’ compensation system. We have developed a comprehensive proposal for the role that workers’ compensation must play in these critical times (attached). This letter focuses on our most vital proposals. And, we are offering to step up to work with you on whatever is necessary to make these changes effective on the ground.

2020.04.03 LET FORD RE Workers’ Compensation and COVID

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Protection of screening officers

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page1image17843424The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

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April 2, 2020

Honorable Marc Garneau                                                                                                           

Minister of Transportation                                                                                

House of Commons                                                                                            

Ottawa, Ontario                                                                                                        

Canada                            

K1A 0A6                                                                        

Re: Protection of screening officers during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Dear Mr. Garneau,

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) is the bargaining agent for nearly 90% of screening officers across Canada, who work in major Canadian airports, such as Vancouver and Toronto Pearson Airport. Both airports are major hubs that connect Canada to the world. Screeners in Toronto Pearson Airport process 130,000 passengers on a daily basis without incidents or disruptions, and work very closely with the travelling public. Not only is the work of screening officers significant for the safety and security of domestic and international passengers, they are at the core of making airports function

I am writing you today asking for your help with a troubling issue concerning our screening officers. CATSA, the regulating body for Airport screening, is not allowing the service providers to supply the proper personal protective equipment to our screening officers at all airports across Canada. CATSA has been referring to standards issued by Health Canada for the general public. The IAMAW believes that screening officers should be treated as front line employees and supplied with the appropriate personal protective equipment. The IAMAW and the service providers in both Toronto and in British Columbia have done Joint Hazardous Risk Assessments and the findings with regards to personal protective equipment are being refused to be implemented by the service providers.

We are requesting that Transport Canada immediately issue a guidance protecting our front line airport screeners ordering the service providers to change standard operating procedures and provide the proper personal protective equipment.

We have included our submission to Transport Canada for immediate review.
I trust you will take swift actions to address these issues and I thank you for your assistance in advance. Yours truly,

Keith Aiken
Air Transportation Coordinator IAMAW Canada

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English Submission to Transport Canada
French Submission to Transport Canada fr

PREPARING TO REGISTER with(CERB)

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Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) PREPARING TO REGISTER with ‘MyAccount’

To apply for the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit in April (Apr 6 is the target date) you will need a “MyAccount” with the Canada Revenue Agency.

Before you apply for the CERB benefit:

1. If you already have a MyAccount (for income tax etc) check to make sure your information is up-to-date.

2. If you do NOT have a MyAccount and need to register for the first time:

  • Search for ‘CRA MyAccount register’ or go directly to www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/e-services- individuals/account-individuals.html
  • Go through the steps to set up MyAccount
  • They will send you a CRA security code so you can use MyAccount. It normally takes 1 to 2 weeks to mail it to you.
  • If you don’t want to wait, call CRA 1-800-959-8281 to get the security code sent to you immediately by email – or over the phone.
  • Stay on the line until you can choose “MyAccount”
  • Then choose “Receive security code by email”.
  • When the agent answers be ready with

     your SIN #

     tax assessment information for the last 2 years which you’ll need to answer their security questions. The easiest way is to use the two page summary CRA sent you with totals for each year.

Note: If you use on-line banking, you have the choice of setting up MyAccount by selecting the ‘sign-in partner’ option and using your banking ID. For more information: www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e- services/cra-login-services/sign-partners-help-faqs.html .

English MyAccount.register for CERB

French Registre Mondossier de lARC

Canada Emergency Response Benefit

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Canada Emergency Response Benefit- Things to Know

Over the last couple of weeks the federal government has made announcements about benefits available through the EI program for workers. Until recently, workers could access, in addition to regular benefits, the EI Sickness Benefit and the Emergency Care Benefit. These two programs have now been merged into the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit will be available April 6, 2020, and for 16 weeks all new claims will be processed through the CERB, after which benefits will be paid under regular EI benefits.

To apply, a person must meet the following criteria;

  1. i)  A person must have earned at least $ 5,000 in the previous 12 months or the 2019 tax year and has lost employment due to COVID-19
  2. ii)  A person’s lay-off is related directly or indirectly to the pandemic
  3. iii)  A person is sick with COVID-19
  4. iv)  An individual who is home looking after children and is without pay, or is looking afterchildren due to school and/or daycare closures
  5. v)  A person is caring for a sick family member or is in quarantine
  6. vi)  A person is experiencing a mental health issue due to the pandemic
  7. vii)  No obligation to report bi-weekly, but an individual must provide proof that for seven (7)consecutive days out of fourteen (14) an individual was unemployed.

If a person is currently receiving EI or EI Sickness benefits, those payments will not be discontinued. The CERB is paid out for 16 weeks, and if still unemployed, the individual will automatically begin receiving EI regular benefits, if they are still unemployed.

If an individual has a pending application, they do not need to re-apply.

Note that unlike the EI regular benefit, a person is not allowed to hold other employment. It’s also not possible to have a top-up.

Workers will not be able to access both streams of payment at the same time. CERB payments are made monthly, up to $ 2,000 taxable income. Payments are expected to begin mid-April and applications open April 6th. Those receiving EI will Strat receiving a flat  $2000 amount after April 6th. Those who received more than $2,000 or $ 500 per week, will see a reduction and a clawback in their next payment, and those who received less than $ 500 per week or $ 2,000 under the EI Regular benefit will see an adjustment that amounts to $ 500 per week.

To apply, see attached document.

This is a new program and as it rolls out, changes may occur. Please keep up to date and we will issue updates as they become known to us.

For any additional questions, you may reach out to Heather Kelley and Ivana Saula

hkelley@iamaw.org

isaula@iamaw.org

Canada Emergency Response Benefit