November 6, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Dear Colleagues,
Some of you may not be aware that CAW local 2002
has appointed me in the newly created position of Canadian Air Regulations
Coordinator. My mandate is to keep the union heads and members abreast of issues
and changes involved with all regulatory matters within Canadian Air Regulation.
Part of my duties includes participation as an active member of the Canadian
Aviation Regulation Advisory Council (CARAC). Participation in this group allows
myself - on behalf of the union - to be able to propose and make changes to
existing and new Canadian Aviation Regulation language, which could adversely
affect our maintenance group.
I attended the yearly CARAC 2008 plenary meeting
in Ottawa along with Ron Smith, our CAW National Staff Representative. One
particular issue raised at this meeting which drew concern, was Transport
Canada's push for SMS (safety management systems) regardless of the status of
Bill C-7. Bill C-7 is SMS authorizing legislation, and is currently in the 3rd
reading before Parliament.
As most of you are aware by now, SMS has been
adopted by the company and is in the final stages of implementation. Self
regulation and voluntary reporting will now be the norm, leaving
responsibilities of airline safety solely in the company's hands while Transport
Canada inspectors sit idle. Will safety of our aircraft be jeopardized? We're
only to look across the border at Southwest and American Airlines for examples
of where the system broke down. Even closer to home where this summer the out
break of listeriosis in our food industry has put the Canadian Food Inspection
Agency on the hot seat for "internal policing".
Where does it leave individuals who feel
compromised by company policy or directions when he or she feels that when
issues of conflict arise where do they turn? Although the company has a
reporting system for events like this, will members trust the ability of the
internal structure to protect them? Bill C-7 does have some protection for so
called "whistleblowers" but until it passes and is proven it leaves a lot up to
interpretation.
Another topic raised at CARAC was Transport
Canada's push for ability of foreign maintenance technicians to attain Canadian
AME licenses by simply writing and passing the Canadian Air Regulations exam.
This would have a huge impact on personnel involved in maintenance, repair and
overhaul, as well as manufacturing of Aeronautical products. It was made totally
clear by Transport Canada official Don Sherrit that proposing this change was
for the sole purpose of addressing the AME shortage in Canada. We all know where
this is leading to. This mandate is still at the tech committee stage and has
not yet been pushed to a working group.
It is my intention to get involved with these
issues at the working group level, along with other maintenance groups to voice
our concerns and opinions.
Jim Sofonoff
CARS Representative
CAW Local 2002
[email protected]
If you wish to obtain
additional information on these issues, please visit the websites
below.
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