Introduction
Klein Lawyers, in conjunction with Hanson Wirsig Matheos has filed class actions in British Columbia and Ontario against Air Canada and Air Canada Regional Inc.d.b.a. AIRBC on behalf of retired and former employees whose severance or retirement packages were unilaterally changed by Air Canada and/or AIRBC.
The plaintiffs in this action are part of a group of former Canadian Airlines and AIRBC employees who qualified for travel benefits under the airlines’ Factor 60/70 program. These were employees who each had combined age and years of service of 60 or 70 with a minimum of 10 years service with the airline.
Air Canada acquired operational control of Canadian Airlines in January 2000 and thereby became responsible for its liabilities and obligations, however, in September 2000 they unilaterally changed the contractual obligations of the retirement and severance packages.
These class actions have been settled through the Air Canada insolvency process. Class members’ interline travel benefits have been restored. As well, damages were awarded to the class for the past loss of interline benefits and for the loss of ancillary benefits. Distribution of the settlement proceeds to class members is being conducted by:
Ratcliff & Company LLP
Barristers and Solicitors
Suite 500, 221 West Esplanade
North Vancouver, B.C.
V7M 3J3
Phone: 604-988-5201
Fax: 604-988-1452
For further information about the settlement and the distribution to class members, please contact Ratcliffe and Company.
“The negotiations were conducted by plaintiffs’ counsel with experience in class proceedings.”
“I am satisfied it is apparent from the material, which is complicated, and, I might say very well organized...”
“Plaintiff’s counsel are senior members of the bar who have extensive experience in personal injury litigation and class actions..”
“Mr. Klein is experienced and able in relation to class proceedings. Over time he has acquired expertise that permits him to make a valuable contribution...”
“The lead class counsel is experienced and has been recognized by the courts in approving settlements in other class actions.”
“Counsel for the plaintiffs in the various jurisdictions appear to be experienced in class proceedings, and to be recognized as skilled litigators.”
“…Plaintiff’s counsel retained the British Columbia law firm of Klein Lawyers to assist in the litigation. That firm has extensive experience...”
“Klein Lawyers is a litigation firm focusing on class actions. The firm is based in Vancouver but also has a Toronto office.”
“The proposed Class Counsel have excellent qualifications…”
“Mr. Klein of Klein Lawyers has over 20 years of experience in the field of class action litigation and has appeared as plaintiffs’ counsel in over 25 certified class actions...”
“Class counsel, Klein Lawyers LLP and Kim Orr Barristers P.C., are highly experienced in class action litigation. Both firms have practiced in the specialized area of class action litigation for over 20 years”
“British Columbia class counsel took on this case on a contingency basis, and faced a real risk of not being paid at all for their services.”
“Class counsel pursued this litigation to completion on their own rather than with a consortium of counsel from various provinces.”
“Klein Lawyers has continuously posted updates about the case on its website during the litigation, and has posted the court decisions...”
“There is little doubt that the lawyers of the firm expended a great deal of time in prosecuting the action, in negotiating a settlement...”
“…Class counsel undertook an extensive communication plan to advise potential class members of the proposed settlement and to advise them of the...”
