August 14, 2020 at 5:30 PM
Unifor and Jazz Aviation are continuing discussions concerning the Special Leave of Absence (SLOA) program; specifically, how they will be allocated and processed, but also how these “leaves” will impact any potential/future layoff notices.
The SLOA program had a great deal of interest from our members which has resulted in the overall reduction in the total number of involuntary layoffs across the country.
Click here to read the SLOA Question and Answer document
Recently, the company provided a brief update on the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program. As we understand it, the application process, the ability to qualify for the program, the parameters around the application for furloughed members, as well as various other parts of the legislation are still required to be worked through. We expect Jazz to provide updates to both the membership and Unifor when available.
Click here to read the current CEWS Factsheet from Unifor
ACTION REQUIRED
As it currently stands, members need to ensure their response to layoff is submitted no later than August 15, 2020. For those members who will be on layoff as of August 30, please be advised that you have the ability to delay the payout(s) of your vacation, time=bank, and loyalty banks until the end of the year. Please verify with your Area Manager or General Manager who to submit this information to, and by what specified date.
For those who will be on an approved SLOA, remember that your accrued vacation entitlement will automatically be paid out within 30 days of the start of your SLOA. You may hold on to your time-bank and loyalty banks, but in order to do so, you MUST advise Jazz or they will automatically be paid out at the beginning of your SLOA. Again, please contact your Area Manager or General Manager for details.
If you have a specified return to work date in 2021 (based on the end-date of your SLOA), remember that you also have the ability to roll 40 hours of vacation to 2021, as well as the ability to convert loyalty to time-bank and time-bank to vacation.
For members on layoff or a SLOA, you also have the ability to covert unused time-bank vacation (you would have converted it in 2019 for use in 2020) and/or loyalty back in to your time-bank for the purposes of transferring to an RRSP. (Note that this is different than accrued regular vacation entitlement and pay.)
There are many options available, and many different scenarios. Most importantly we do not want members’ having their banks emptied when they do not want them to be. If you are in doubt, be sure to reach out to your Manager and copy in your Unifor Bargaining Representative as soon as you receive confirmation that you will be placed on layoff (or when you receive approval of your SLOA).
We understand that these decisions have been grueling for our members to make. Our goal remains to ensure that our collective agreement is being followed, and to provide as much information and support as we can to get everyone through this uncertain time.
We thank you for your patience and will continue discussions with the company in support of our membership as a whole.
In Solidarity,
Your Unifor Bargaining Committee
Denise Cochrane – Central Region (Chairperson)
Kassi Doherty – Pacific Region
Astraea Sam – Western Region
Lucie Lapierre – Eastern Region
Wendy Barnes – Atlantic Region
Karl de Wit – Aircraft Services Division Canada
Josée Genois, Assistant to the Local President
Liz Marzari – Unifor National Representative
/20-08-14 Jazz CSA-ACS member update EN.txt