The union representing employees at the regional airline Jazz Aviation has stated that it is considering legal action as 54 people in Newfoundland and Labrador have lost their jobs due to service changes made by Air Canada.

Shane Fields, the national representative of Unifor, said on Friday that the news of the layoffs was shocking and unexpected. He stated in an interview that employees deserve better.

Fields added, "We now have members who have devoted years of service and loyalty to this employer and have given years of their lives." "And this is the thanks they receive."

Jazz operates regional service under the Air Canada Express brand. However, PAL Airlines, based in St. John, will take over some of the previous routes on November 1 and will also operate under the Air Canada Express banner.

Fields said this shift means layoffs for 54 workers at three small airports in the province. He noted that 25 employees in Deer Lake will lose their jobs, as well as 16 in Gander, and 13 in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, in central Labrador, where the layoffs are affecting customer service agents – workers who clean planes, direct aircraft, or load and unload luggage.

Fields also stated that Unifor has filed complaints against Jazz at all three locations. They are also investigating whether there has been a violation of labor standards, according to a press release from the union on Friday.

Terry O'Dell, a representative of Jazz, said the company is making "the necessary employment changes as a result of changes to Air Canada's flight schedule."

O'Dell said in an email on Saturday that starting November 1, Jazz will no longer operate at all from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, resulting in the layoff of 13 people. O'Dell added that there will also be layoffs for workers in Gander and Deer Lake, but she did not confirm their numbers.

Air Canada also stated that it has reached a deal with PAL Airlines to supplement its agreement with Jazz and to maintain service for regional communities in Atlantic Canada. Spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick said in an email that these areas have been severely affected by the industry-wide pilot shortage.

Meanwhile, PAL Airlines is expanding and hiring due to its new contract with Air Canada, according to Joseph Galimberti, Vice President of Public Affairs at the parent company PAL Aerospace, in an interview.

He said, "We are hiring people and acquiring talent accordingly, across a full range of positions at the airline."