Aveos workers demonstrate in Winnipeg

More than 100 former Aveos workersgathered at the Winnipeg airport on Monday to protest their sudden job losses.

They first met atnoon outside the offices of Conservative MP Stephen Fletcher but he wasn't there, so they gathered at the Victoria Inn and marched to the airport.

They are demanding answers to and questioning the legality of the sudden mass ofjob losses.

Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal MP for Winnipeg North, spoke in support of the Aveos workers at the Winnipeg airport, telling them, "we are going to fight this all the way we can, to protect your jobs."

Some 350employees in Winnipeg were shut out when Aveos Fleet Performance Inc.ceased its operations nationwide on Sunday.

The private company, whichmaintains many of Air Canada's aircraft, locked out at least 2,400 workers.

It posted a noticeat its Winnipeg plant late Sunday afternoon, stating, "We regret to advise you that effective immediately, Aveos Fleet Performance Inc. has ceased the operation of airframe maintenance."

Approximately 1,800 of the affected employees are based in Montreal, while 350 are in Winnipeg and 250 are in Vancouver, according to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

About200 Aveos workers blocked a major street near Montreal's Trudeau Airporton Mondaymorning.