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

COVID-19 Vaccines & Canada’s Flight Attendants

Lisa Raymond on November 19, 2020

Today, in my capacity as Airline Division President, I wrote to Minister of Health, Patty Hajdu, on behalf of the over 15,000 flight attendants, represented by CUPE at nine different airlines across Canada, regarding the news of multiple effective COVID-19 vaccines on the horizon.

I implored her to ask that the government consider flight attendants as “those contributing to the maintenance of other essential services for the functioning of society” and “those whose living or working conditions put them at elevated risk of infection” under the government’s Preliminary guidance on key populations for early COVID-19 immunization.

It is important for the government to acknowledge the fact that flight attendants were some of the first in Canada to encounter and become infected with COVID-19 in the workplace.  Since the beginning of the pandemic, flight attendants have performed essential work under extremely trying circumstances. We answered the government’s call to bring Canadians home from abroad, in spite of the personal risks involved. Flight attendants have performed a vital role in keeping this critical industry in the air.

Flight attendants clearly meet the government’s stated criteria for early immunization and it is important that they consider this information as they determine their priorities for early immunization.

In Solidarity,

Wesley Lesosky
President, Air Canada Component of CUPE

Boeing 737-8 (MAX) Update

Lisa Raymond on November 19, 2020

You may have read media reports yesterday about the FAA approving the 737-8 (MAX) for a return to service.

Please know that your union leadership remains in contact with Transport Canada (TC) and the airline regarding this issue.

As recently as this Tuesday, TC officials re-affirmed a commitment to fully brief your CUPE leadership whenever a Canadian decision is made regarding this aircraft. TC has advised that it has been and continues to conduct its own fully independent review of the MAX and will only issue a go-ahead for return to service once its process is complete.

The TC press release is as follows:

Statement by Minister Garneau on Federal Aviation Administration’s certification of changes to the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft 

From: Transport Canada

Statement

November 18, 2020       Ottawa, Ontario       Transport Canada

“Our government remains committed to keeping Canadians, the travelling public, and the transportation system safe and secure.

“We acknowledge that the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released an Airworthiness Directive for the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Through this directive, the FAA is mandating its approved changes made to the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, and confirms it can return to service in U.S. airspace.

“Transport Canada has worked extensively with the FAA and other key certifying authorities, including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil (ANAC), as well as the three Canadian operators of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, and their pilot unions throughout the validation process of the aircraft to address all factors necessary toward a safe return to service of the aircraft.

“Transport Canada safety experts continue their independent validation process to determine whether to approve the proposed changes to the aircraft. We expect this process to conclude very soon. However, there will be differences between what the FAA has approved today, and what Canada will require for its operators. These differences will include additional procedures on the flight deck and pre-flight, as well as differences in training.

“The commercial flight restrictions for the operation of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in Canadian airspace remain in effect and will not be lifted until the department is fully satisfied that all its safety concerns have been addressed, and that enhanced flight crew procedures and training are in place in Canada.”

https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/11/statement-by-minister-garneau-on-federal-aviation-administrations-certification-of-changes-to-the-boeing-737-max-aircraft.html

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We will keep you posted with any information as it becomes available.

In solidarity,