FTQ seeks to force Air Canada to reopen Aveos plant

One of Quebec's largest unions is seeking a court injunction that would force Air Canada to reopen a maintenance center in Montreal.

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The QuebecFederation of Labour (FTQ) wants the airline to respect a Quebec Court of Appeal decision that confirmedit had violated its articles of incorporation when it failed to re-open a maintenance centre that went bankrupt more than three years ago.

It filed the request for an injunction in Quebec Superior Court on Friday.

Federal legislation, passed in 1988 toprivatizeAir Canada, requiredthe airline keep its heavy maintenance operationsin Winnipeg, Montreal andMississauga.

ButAveos the company that ran Air Canada's Montreal maintenancecentrewent out of business in 2012, laying off more than2,000 employees.

The Quebec government had initiallypromised to defend the former Aveos employees as Air Canada vowed to appeal the case all the way to theSupreme Court.

But Quebec and Air Canada agreed to put the case on hold as part of the airline's decisionto buy at least 45 BombardierC-Seriesjets.

Quebec gave Bombardiera $1.32-billion subsidy last fall in an effort to save its passenger jet program.

Serge Cadieux, the FTQ's secretary general, accused the Quebec government of striking a deal with Air Canada behind the back of the unions representing the former Aveos workers.

"Quebec can't afford to let go 1,800 specialized and well-paid employees," Cadieux said.

"There must be a way for justice to be respected in this country."

Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneauhas promised to clarify Air Canada's articles of incorporation.