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

Cabin Crew Jumpseats

Lisa Raymond on February 28, 2020

The Union has been inundated with information members have come forward with in regards to the Cabin Crew Jumpseats on both Air Canada Mainline and Air Canada Rouge.

We have reached out to labour and are awaiting specifics on this, however at this time, the facts are that there are no changes at Air Canada Mainline, and the Union has not been advised of any changes to the SOPs.

The current order for Air Canada Mainline Cabin Crew Jumpseats is as follows:

Cabin jumpseat(s) may be occupied in accordance with the following priority:

  1. Air Canada Flight Attendants (including Air Canada management with active flight attendant qualifications), then
  2. Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge Flight Crew members; then
  3. Air Canada Rouge Flight Attendants (including Air Canada Rouge management with active flight attendant qualifications).

The current order for Air Canada Rouge Cabin Crew Jumpseats is as follows:

Cabin jumpseat(s) may be occupied in accordance with the following priority:

  1. Air Canada Rouge flight attendants (including qualified Air Canada Rouge IFS Management); then
  1. Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada flight crew members; then
  1. Air Canada flight attendants (including Air Canada Rouge IFS Management).

The change that has transpired is on both the Air Canada and Rouge side. The Company SOP was changed to add “Air Canada flight attendants” to the Rouge manual and vice versa.  The way in which this edit was added in the manuals has now resulted in each group dropping below all pilots when jumpseating on the other carriers flights.  It is our understanding that due to the Air Canada Rouge pilots being actual Air Canada pilots, there may have been a challenge to differentiate them.

All the above being said, we have clearly stated, and are doing so again, that when it comes to Jumpseats within either the Mainline or Rouge cabin, that are available for occupancy, they should go to a Mainline or Rouge Flight Attendant PRIOR to a Mainline or Rouge Pilot.

We will follow up with this further in the coming weeks and appreciate all the feedback received.

In solidarity,

Coronavirus Update 12

Lisa Raymond on February 28, 2020

Many of you have voiced concerns to the Union recently specifically about the transport of passengers connecting from carriers still operating to/from China.
The Union would like to raise awareness of the fact that the COVID-19 virus is NOT Chinese. It may have its origins in China; however, it is clearly an issue that is affecting populations worldwide – regardless of the semantics regarding the word pandemic. Xenophobic attitudes and concerns, while common in situations like these are not appropriate, nor in keeping with the Union’s ethical guidelines.
Passengers connecting from other carriers have been cleared through the established public health protocols. Furthermore, there is nothing stopping a passenger, once cleared to enter Canada, from purchasing a separate non-connecting ticket on a domestic flight. The Union recognizes the concerns of some members regarding screening processes; however, it doesn’t control, nor does it have much if any influence on the exit or entrance procedures of individual countries. Even the employer may have very limited influence or control over these.
Concerns about the employer’s specific actions should be addressed by means of a health and safety complaint e-report ACAeronet > Safety > Submit a report/SIMS at Mainline, or AQD at Rouge. This formalizes your concerns, enters them into the data base used by the company as well as your joint health and safety committees.
It is important to note that beyond questionnaires, mandatory onboard announcements, increased signage in border control facilities and heightened awareness of workers who are in contact with the public, little more in way of screening can be done. Testing for COVID-19 takes time and cannot be done in a boarding lounge. Temperature reading instruments, while widely employed at some destinations, have had their accuracy and usefulness questioned.
The Union calls on its members to focus their energy on areas that can, and will, make a meaningful and positive difference as we all navigate this public health crisis: stay home when sick; follow company procedures for suspected communicable diseases as per FAM/PUB chapter 6; know how and when to use your personal protective equipment; and be informed about/employ sound hygiene practices.
Diseases know no borders, aircraft or flight numbers. Proper precautions, practices and procedures related to communicable disease must be the norm every flight, always – not just when we see passengers connecting from a certain place or when flying to a certain destination. That is how we will protect one another onboard. That is how we will protect our colleagues working at airports. That is the critical role we will play in helping our healthcare system manage and control this virus.
 
In Solidarity,
Wesley Lesosky
President, Air Canada Component of CUPE