The Air Canada Component of CUPE would like to take the time to introduce some of the people that will going to the bargaining table on our members’ behalf in 2025. It’s been a very long 10 years and our world has changed dramatically, from COVID to the soaring cost of living, our members’ needs are at an all time high, and we have many members, over 4,000 that have never been through a full round of negotiations. We have already started our Bargaining Road Show in YVR, and we are traveling across the country to help educate and listen to our members at each base. ACCEX has been working hard to make sure this is a successful round of negotiations and to ensure that our members know exactly what to expect and what is required. We also want to make sure you know that it is not just your Bargaining Committee that is working on getting the deal our members deserve. We have also provided information on some of our internal resources and external resources that will be working hard in this round for the members.
Bargaining Committee:
ACCEX:
Wesley Lesosky (Component President)
My name is Wesley Lesosky, and I am in my third term as the Air Canada Component President. I worked from being the Component Reserve Committee Chair, Component Trustee, Component Hotel Committee Co-Chair and prior to becoming Component President I was the Component Secretary Treasurer. In the last few years, I have worked with the executive board to ensure that we built a strong bond to work for the members towards a solid Collective Agreement. I am a firm believer that we can achieve more this round, with a solid structure and the membership behind us. I have a strong understanding of the bargaining process, the challenges faced through our processes, and our future challenges in gaining what is rightfully ours. I am also the President of the Airline Division, and this role has also allowed me to rally for what we believe needs to be addressed and corrected in our Industry, and we have seen that we are heard, acknowledged and respected by the public.
Theresa Mitchell (Component Vice President)
My name is Theresa Mitchell, and I started my flying career in 1983 as a Norontair Flight Attendant. I joined Pacific Western/Canadian Airlines in 1987 which then became Air Canada with the merger. I began my Union work in 2007 as the Grievance Committee Chairperson until I was elected in 2019 as Component Vice President. My role as Grievance Committee Chair has given me a bird’s eye view of the Collective Agreement language shortcomings, benefits, Human Rights legislation and all the struggles faced by Local Offices and the Component. I served as an advisor in the 2015 round of bargaining. I also participated in the two rounds of reopener bargaining in my role as Vice President and look forward to our collective opportunity to negotiate in an open period without restrictions. I am very motivated to help negotiate a contract reflective of what you deserve. My experience and dedication to serve as a Union representative over the years is proof of my focus and commitment to the negotiations process. I look forward to dedicating my time and energies to a Collective Agreement to be proud of and to support smaller locals by paving the way for their negotiations with what is achieved.
Guillaume Leduc (Component Secretary Treasurer)
My name is Guillaume Leduc and I have a long-standing commitment to union work, beginning in 1989 when I served as a Shop Steward for the CSN at St-Hubert BBQ. I joined Air Canada in 1990 and became actively involved in the union, holding several key positions within CUPE Local 4091. From 2003 to 2005, I served as Local Vice President, followed by a term as Local Trustee from 2007 to 2013. In 2013, I took on the role of Local Secretary Treasurer, and from 2014 to 2023, I was the Local President. Currently, I serve as the Component Secretary Treasurer, continuing my dedication to representing and supporting my colleagues.
Natasha Stea (Local 4091 President – YUL)
My name is Natasha Stea, and I have been a Flight Attendant with Air Canada for 25 years now. I was hired as a temp for the summer of 1998 and got my permanency in 1999. I have been involved with the union since 2011 in different roles including committee member as well as elected officer. Throughout my career, I have seen ups and downs including the good and bad that comes out of our wonderful career. I am honoured to represent our YUL members at the table during this historical bargaining session.
Denis Montpetit (Local 4092 President – YYZ)
My name is Denis Montpetit, and I am the Local 4092 President for the YYZ base. I have been involved with the Union since 1981 in different positions and I have been on the negotiation committee at different times during my 45 years. With your help we will reach our goal of a good Collective Agreement.
Carolyn Bugnon (Local 4094 President – YVR)
My name is Carolyn Bugnon, and I am the President of Local 4094 – YVR. I began flying in 1987 and have served as an elected officer for CUPE Local 4094 for the past 14 years. I hold advanced certificates in labour relations, mediation, negotiation, human rights, and disability management. I am the Co-Chair of the Air Canada Pay Equity Committee and was recently appointed as an independent adjudicator with the Justice Services Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General.
Tyler McBain (Local 4095 President – YYC)
My name is Tyler McBain, and I am honoured to serve as a member of your Bargaining Committee. With 24 years experience as a Flight Attendant and Service Director with Air Canada, I am currently holding the position of YYC CUPE Local 4095 President. I look forward to working with you to ensure that your voices are heard as we move through the bargaining process.
Amy Murray (Local 4098 President – Rouge)
My name is Amy Murray, and I am a dedicated and enthusiastic union officer. Initially joining the Local as a Base Vice-President, I found myself later moving into the President role. I have experience with the Local’s PBS, Health and Safety and Grievance Committees. Before embarking on a career in aviation, I built a solid foundation in the legal industry through my studies and work experience and am thrilled to form part of the Bargaining Committee.
CUPE NATIONAL STAFF:
Kevin Tyrrell (CUPE National Staff Representative)
Kevin Tyrrell has been with the Air Canada Component since 2017 and has been along side ACCEX for both reopeners in the last Collective Agreement. Kevin comes from the Healthcare sector in Ontario where he was the Greater Toronto Area Vice President for the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions, and he represented 10s of thousands of healthcare workers in the GTA. Through this role he had a seat at the Central Bargaining table for OCHU who negotiates for 30,000 healthcare workers across Ontario. Kevin was a CUPE member for 20 years prior to joining CUPE National as a Staff Representative.
Hugh Pouliot (CUPE National Communications Specialist)
Hugh Pouliot is a Senior Communications Officer in CUPE’s National office in Ottawa. He has worked with the Air Canada Component and the Airline Division since March 2020. Prior to working at CUPE, he worked as a legislative advisor to a Member of Parliament on Parliament Hill.
Sylvain Schetagne (CUPE Senior Research Officer)
Prior to joining CUPE, Sylvain Schetagne served as the Director of Research for both the Quebec Federation of Resident Doctors (FMRQ) and the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT). He has also been the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) Senior economist, National Director of Political Action and Campaigns, and the CLC’s Chief Economist and National Director of the Social and Economic Policy Department. Sylvain started his career as a Research Officer and a Regional Representative for the PSAC. Sylvain holds a master’s degree in industrial relations from Laval University and is a graduate of the Harvard University Trade Union Program (HTUP).
Dan Sawyer (CUPE National Mobilization Specialist)
Dan Sawyer has served in staff positions for CUPE locals and at CUPE National for more than a decade. Currently based in Ottawa, he is assigned to CUPE’s Air Canada locals to support member organizing and engagement in preparation for the upcoming round of collective bargaining.
External:
LEGAL:
Dewart Gleason LLP
Dewart Gleason has represented the Air Canada Component and our members for over 10 years. Their expertise in labour law and specifically our Collective Agreement is the reason they are part of the team going into bargaining. They have a host of lawyers at the firm that are well versed in the particulars of our contract.
Cavalluzo Law Firm
Historically our Health and Safety Committee has used Cavalluzo with some of their more complicated files and they have also relied on them in past rounds for any advise/assistance in regards to health and safety at the bargaining table.
Koskie Minsky LLP
Murray Gold maintains a nationally recognized pension and employee benefits practice. In 2021, Murray was awarded the OBA Pension Award for Excellence in Pension and Benefits Law. He is top ranked in the Chambers, Lexpert and Best Lawyers directories. He currently serves as one of three members of Pension Asset Expert Advisory Panel that is examining public sector pension accounting issues. He represented stakeholder interests in insolvency proceedings involving Air Canada in 2003 and 2009. Murray Gold is a Fellow of the Ontario Teachers’ Federation, an honor in recognition of his work in regard to the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.
PUBLIC AWARENESS
Point Blank Creative
We have teamed up with Point Blank Creative to assist us going into Bargaining in 2025. We are sharing the cost with CUPE National after a successful application for a cost share campaign leading into the 2025 negotiations. Point Blank has worked with many major unions in Canada to put together provocative and exciting public awareness campaigns against governments and some of the biggest corporations in Canada and against government across the country. We are super excited to be working with them and are sure our members will be pleased with what’s to come.
About – Point Blank Creative
What would your customers think? – Point Blank Creative
Our lives are not for profit – Point Blank Creative
Who deserves the funding: Schools and hospitals or THIS guy? (youtube.com)
In solidarity,
Your Bargaining Committee