DAYS SINCE WE BEGAN THE BARGAINING PROCESS. WE ARE UNITED AND WE WILL MAKE CHANGE.

Cabin Air Quality

Lisa Raymond on November 21, 2019

Recently, there has been a surge in members seeking help and information related to cabin fume events.

There are 2 types of fume events: The first is low, chronic exposure, each time the engines start up or change speed on aircraft that draw cabin air from the engines. These are under-reported because they’re often not noticeable, but still negatively affect our health. The second type, and the one we are more familiar with, is an acute fume event which occurs when there is a mechanical problem that allows a more significant amount of engine oil or hydraulic fluid into the cabin air supply system. This is what commonly gets reported as a ‘dirty sock’ or “gym-bag” or “acrid” smell in the cabin.

Your Union is here to advocate for your health and safety and is available to offer support if you experience or have ever experienced a fume event. Please email air@accomponent.ca or click HERE for a copy of the information provided by the union. There is an automatic response on this email that will give you all the necessary medical information for your doctor and the reporting steps to follow.

Some members have reported that the company provides a FAQ document to crews who experience fume events. It is the Union’s firm position that this document contains many errors and omissions in fact. If you have received this FAQ document, please contact us.

The Air Canada Component of CUPE, alongside its CUPE airlines, is a member of the Global Cabin Air Quality Executive. This organization, comprised of labour organizations from around the world, supports research and advocacy for clean cabin air. The GCAQE has extensive information on its website at https://www.gcaqe.org/.

In solidarity,

Your Air Canada Component of CUPE Health and Safety Committee

A Message From Your Health & Safety and Mobilization & Engagement Committees

Lisa Raymond on November 21, 2019

On November 13, 2019 Component Health and Safety Chair, Jordan Bray-Stone, and Component Mobilization and Engagement Chair, Nicola Schnell, attended the Coalition of Flight Attendants meeting in Dallas, Texas. The Coalition meets under the loose mandate of discussing collective goals and issues of mutual interest. APFA, the union representing the cabin crew at American Airlines Mainline, hosted the meeting and the five other unions that represent most US-based Flight Attendants were in attendance along with Air Canada Component of CUPE.

Some of the issues discussed included bargaining updates, uniforms, 737 max, air quality, secure stowage for crew belongings onboard, alcohol and drug policies, fatigue and how seat pitch affects evacuation times.

Of special note was the guest speaker Doctor Susan Michaelis. She is a former pilot for an Australian airline who is now recognized as a leading global aviation health and safety consultant and researcher in the field of aircraft contaminated air supplies and hazardous substances. She is passionate about the health of aircrew in relation to fume events. The under-reporting and lack of information about this topic and how it negatively affects our members health is very concerning. Your Component Health & Safety Committee will be issuing a bulletin shortly with more information on this subject.

The meeting was a great success and we were welcomed by our American flight attendants. At a time when workers’ rights seem to be under constant threat, the solidarity exhibited by the group was encouraging. We are very thankful to the APFA for hosting this valuable event and look forward to continued collaboration on the many issues affecting our industry.

 

 

In Solidarity,

Jordan Bray-Stone
Chair, Health & Safety Committee

Nicola Schnell
Chair, Mobilization and Engagement Committee