layoffs at Wasaya???

[mrsapproach]

Heard through the grapevine that there were layoffs at Wasaya any one out there in the know that can confirm....

Condolences to those affected, better times ahead let's hope

[toelessjoe]

Confirmed. I believe the numbers are 13 pilots and not sure how many in maintenence. Due in some part to closing the Timmins base.

[magyar]

It always seems like one company is hiring and another laying off...What would happen if there was just one comapany to support all of the air travel in canada(yeah like a westjet logo on a 185 on floats )? But seriously does a larger number/amount of companies help or hinder the industry vs. having less compition and fewer carriers. What else would happen?

[Doc]

When one door closes, another often opens. Not a bad door to have closed. Knock on others.....don't go back through the one that closed.
In the long run....you'll find this to be good advice.

[vmc_demo]

.

[ILS26_Steep]

When did the YTS base close? This month? Sad to hear, lots of charter competition in that town.

[mrsapproach]

When did the YTS base close? This month? Sad to hear, lots of charter competition in that town.

Yeah, if their sales dept did more than wait for the phones to ring

[2R]

Are the Governments teats running dry ?

A 24 billion dollar deficit can do that .Tax dollar revenue streams turning into trickles as the factories in Ontario close,mills close,jobs disappering quicker than you can say Obama protectionist isolation policies of failure.
Lots of truck driving jobs in timmins driving the raw logs and raw ore to Quebec for processing,i guess they should be grateful that the Quebecers are willing to take Ontarios raw resources and make some money out of them ,while the mills and ore processing plants are shut down in Northern Ontario.At least some money will get to Queens Park .

[Doc]

So, somebody has to ask. Did Wasaya repay all the cash paid out by the pilots laid off? Interested how they (the company) will handle this? My bet is they will try and hold on to your money. Otherwise, these lay offs will be expensive. Perhaps they just laid off non-bonded folks? Will they bump the bonded folks down into previously non-bonded positions? Simple math. If you have 10K from 10 pilots, it'll cost you 100K to lay them off........the worm turns.

I knew this post would scare ya.
If they do give the money back, (if they don't, go directly to your Dad's lawyer) and subsequently recall the pilots, will they want the pilot to bring the cash with him/her?
Take the money.....and RUN! And, don't be stupid enough do that again!
And, whatever you do....GET YOUR MONEY BEFORE YOU LEAVE THEIR OFFICE!! Then leave for good.

CAUTION....that is your money. It should NOT show up as "severance" on an ROE. Do not mention it on your EI claim. Spend it in The Bahamas!

[Hot Fuel]

Interesting notion…got me thinking, I recall getting laid-off a number of years back and was expecting severance and any outstanding holiday pay. REO arrived in the mail and was a little pissed when I found no cheque attached.

When I checked into it I was surprised to find that the company was entitled to hold the funds for something like 90 to 120 days if it was identified as a temporary lay-off.

If I wasn’t recalled to work on or before the prescribed date they were obligated to turn over the funds plus interest. I wonder how the labour board will interpret funds relating to a bond?

The other thing I find myself pondering is the bump or bounce effect of relieving themselves of 13 pilots. They would have had to consult with the union to obtain the seniority list and undoubtedly go with the bottom guys, potentially messing up the roster mix. I’m sure if the company had its choice of who they wanted to lay-off it would be a mix of captains and co-pilots to ensure it didn’t mess anything up as far as pairings go.

They have no control over that when it just comes down to a number, could make for some messy scheduling now.

[Doc]

When I checked into it I was surprised to find that the company was entitled to hold the funds for something like 90 to 120 days if it was identified as a temporary lay-off.

If I wasn’t recalled to work on or before the prescribed date they were obligated to turn over the funds plus interest. I wonder how the labour board will interpret funds relating to a bond?

I'd seek legal advice if they try that approach. It is YOUR money. I can't see them having the right to your money, if they don't intend to continue paying you. Kind of defeats the whole purpose of the thing. Not like it isn't one sided from the get go.
It gives you the perfect opportunity to "bug out" of the whole money up front thing. If you are furloughed, the company has no right to expect any kind of loyalty from you. You become a free agent, and should be able to seek out employment elsewhere.
Otherwise, you find alternative employment, they want you back...you say "pound sand", I have another job......they keep your money. And, they will. You'll never see a dime from these guys. Don't leave their office without it!
I've met a few of Wasaya's pilots. Without exception you have been polite, considerate, nice folk. Your management team however, are not. They have left you without an income. Give no quarter, expect none.

[Hot Fuel]

Like I said it’s an interesting situation. I agree with your assessment, the funds that were turned over to the company belong to the individual. The company required the funds to tie the pilot to the job for a prescribed period of time, by making the choice to lay-off people held in their jobs by a bond they are effectively untying them from that bond and the funds should be returned forthwith.

No doubt this is were ALPA comes into play…

[moreccsplease]

Doc, you're forgetting this is an ALPA carrier... therefore no bush league stuff like a pilot going out to find his own lawyer on his own dime. He will simply tap into the resources that being with a pilot's union with $100 million in the bank, not to mention the very high powered lawyers that ALPA has will bring. I guarantee you the ALPA Canada Board will be over this like a fat kid on cake. I wouldn't be surprised if they flew in some big wig lawyers from Ottawa and Washington.

Furthermore, since it is an ALPA carrier, they can't do what you described: lay off who they want just because they have no bond to pay out. There will be a downbid that comes out, and seniority will rule, meaning that the company will have no choice but to pay out any bonds for those that are at the very bottom of the list.

Possibly one of the greatest assets that ALPA will bring in a situation like this is the pilot-to-pilot assistance team that will work with every pilot to make sure that emotionally they are doing well, and help them out with any problems they have with this tough time.

[mattedfred]

Wasaya is now an ALPA carrier, however they have not ratified their first CBA yet. I believe that they are currently in conciliation. I don't believe they had a previous CBA, therefore Wasaya management may have the ability to layoff whomever they choose, just like any other non-unionized workplace. I imagine that ALPA resources will be made available to the Wasaya pilot group, in order to make sure that layoffs can be mitigated and that appropriate labour laws are adhered to by Wasaya management.

I would also think that Wasaya would adhere to the original terms of each bond which may or may not require them to return any funds to affected individuals. I guess it depends on the agreement that was agreed to by each party during the hiring stage.

My thoughts go out to my ALPA brothers and sisters at Wasaya. I encourage any of them to pm if they have any questions about ALPA resources.

[Cap'n P8]

If I remember correctly, the bond paperwork did stipulate that in the event of a layoff the remainder of the bond was to be paid out to the employee. With a whole bunch of high-powered lawyers at the pilots disposal and a signed contract in hand stating that fact, I would think that the bond money is at the bottom of their worries, well behind the fact they are now going to be on pogey.

Sorry to hear about all this though guys, you were a fantastic group of people to work with.

[2.5milefinal]

Are they getting rid of some aircraft ?

[MudFarmer]

A long time reader but never a poster, but I could resist this time. This sucks!

From what I have heard and know the seniority list doesn't matter to Wasaya management. Two senior Hawker captains are among the ones affected. It’s too bad when a company gets rid of people because of personal reasons. Oh and were is the person that is the cause of the personal issues, apparently he is on "holidays".

Good luck to all those affected, I hope that all the union dues you have paid will help you out.

MF

[2R]

Heard it was thirty employees ,not sure how many flight crew.

[xsbank]

Isn't this fun? What happens if they go T.U? Then you are an UNSECURED creditor and you get to suck up your bond as the courts might give you 10 cents on the dollar, if you are lucky and you might even get it if the SECURED creditors don't get it all.

See how stupid you gang of gormless idiots have been?

Oh, am I being too harsh in your time of need? Yes, I am being an *sshole, but maybe the rest of you yahoos won't go rushing in with your chequebooks and your parents as co-signers and do something as stupid as give YOUR money to some scumsucking company for no collateral. Ever hear the expression, "....on a wing and a prayer?" Might as well send your money to Nigeria, at least you will get a chance to share in an "unclaimed windfall."

"Sure, I'll give you thousands and thousands of borrowed dollars to fly your flivver for you for sh*tty pay if you give me the registration to hold in my name until you pay me back."

Geeeesssuuuus!

[Doc]

xsbank, I've been beating that same drum for quite some time. Stupid should leave a scar. Or perhaps, an empty bank account.

[Character]

Very disappointing news. As a former employee of whom enjoyed his time at Wasaya I wish those that have been affected the very best.

[wheresmybox]

I hate Wasaya and will never miss an opportunity to remind everyone of this anytime a thread is created that relates to Wasaya or bonds. Speaking of bonds... wait... did someone say bonds? Let me hijack this thread even though it has nothing to do with bonds and talk about how dumb I think they are.

Yeah, we get it.

The press release for the layoffs is located here:
http://tbnewswatch.com/news/Default.aspx?cid=76986
There's also a video of the president speaking on it on that same website.

As it explains, the layoffs are due to the winter road season. It's probably a lot more than that, but Wasaya has historically struggled during winter road seasons.

It is to my understanding that the layoffs are temporary and these people are still technically employees of the airline. I believe the federal labour laws allow up to 3 months(?) of a temp layoff after which time they must either be re-hired or severance payments must be made. Apparently these pilots and other employees are still receiving their benefits and bond payments if they had any. What does suck is that I think if a pilot does decide to quit during the layoff, because they are still considered an employee, it is technically quitting and they would therefore be responsible for the repayment of the bond if they had one.

Best of luck to those affected. I hope it works out and you either find a better job or are quickly rehired.

[Eleveniron]

I don't know, maybe its just me... but doesn't winter come every year in Northern Ontario, therfore the winter roads? Isn't it time that management quit blaming the winter roads and create a model whereby the company can survive without the profits that they MAY see every 5 years or so, if and when the winter roads crap out? Definition of insanity: Repeating the same action over and over and expecting different results each time.

[mattedfred]

didn't Wasaya join ALPA in 2009?

aren't they currently in conciliation following their attempts to negotiate their first CBA?

didn't Wasaya management argue that their entire operation is an essential service?

wasn't a maintenance of services agreement filed with the Canada Labour Board?

interesting timing by management

perhaps they can afford to pay their lawyers to defend their actions?

[Minimums]

I'm guessing its an attempt to get rid of the 'trouble makers' ahead of time before thieir contract gets handed to'em, and probably just another attempt to 'flex muscle' by management before thier arm gets broken by whomever the arbitrator is when they see the total dismay that the company is in, and how crappy they treat their workforce...ie flight crews. We'll see in what, another year or two?