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April 28, 2020
TORONTO-Sunwing becomes the third airline to apply for the Canada Emergency Wage Supplement (CEWS) in an effort to maintain as much of their workforce as possible.
"We're pleased to see more employers joining the effort to keep Canada's airlines working," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. "Economic recovery is impossible without taking care of workers first."
On April 8, 2020 Air Canada announced that it would use CEWS funding to top up the wages of more than 3,000 workers on lay-off due to COVID-19. Jazz Aviation made a similar announcement on April 9, 2020.
Sunwing Airlines is a Canadian-owned airline specializing in international vacation travel. On March 17, 2020 it announced it was laying off all 470 pilots because of the pandemic travel downturn. Since the passing of the government emergency legislation over the weekend, today's announcement will mean the recall of all employees on layoff. The company will allow employees to stay at home while receiving 75 per cent of their wages to a maximum of $847 weekly for up to 12 weeks.
"Today's announcement is a demonstration of the positive partnership between Sunwing and pilots," said Barret Armann, President of Unifor Local 7378, representing Sunwing pilots. "It shows the commitment to the employees that have helped build the company and their willingness to do the right thing for Canadian workers."
On March 28, 2020, Unifor joined with other Canadian airline unions in sharing concerns and providing solutions to help the industry return to economic health and prosperity. Unifor has called on the government for financial support for industries, including air travel and insists economic stimulus must be accompanied by strong, enforceable conditions that ensure financial aid is tied to maintaining income for current employees and creating employment.
Information about the union's response to the pandemic, as well as resources for members can be found at unifor.org/COVID19.
To arrange for interviews, in-person or via Skype/Facetime, please contact Unifor Communications Representative Hamid Osman at @email or 647-448-2823 (cell).
