GVP Chartrand’s letter to Minister Alghabra on Canadian Airports and Mandatory Vaccination Policies

Dear Honourable Minister Alghabra,

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) represent twenty two
thousand workers in air transportation and aerospace in Canada. We represent a majority of workers
at Canadian airports.

I am writing you today asking your help with a troubling issue about mandatory vaccination policies by
Canadian Airports authorities, which are arm’s length from government. A number of Canadian
airports are implementing vaccination policies, taking any possibility of consultation and negotiation on
this critical health and safety issue away from unions. Any policy put forward without consultation with
recognized bargaining agents could potentially be an infringement on our members’ rights, but more
importantly, we are concerned about workers whose legitimate accommodation needs may be
unrecognized.

If the federal government is going to mandate vaccinations in the federal sector, consultations are
essential to ensure there are mechanisms for accommodation. The IAMAW believes that, your
government presented this and has shed responsibility to involve individual union/employers and
bargaining agents.

I am therefore requesting a meeting, as soon as possible, to discuss airport authorities mandating
vaccine policies.

Thanks in advance for your consideration and assistance in this regard.

Yours Truly,

David Chartrand
GENERAL VICE-PRESIDENT