As many of you have noted, Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge have added an update June 4, 2024 to ePub, under “Crew Breaks and Onboard Crew Rest”:
Crew Breaks
An onboard crew break is the time allocated to eat meals and/or relax during the flight.
As of June 4, 2024, due to changes to the Canada Labour Code, employees are entitled to a break of 30 minutes during every period of 5 consecutive hours of work. The break can be divided into two periods of 15 minutes. Existing standards regarding onboard breaks (e.g., when/where they can be taken) apply to these breaks.
Please note that this new legislative change will only apply to flights that do not have crew rest already provided for under the Collective Agreement.
The legislative changes allow Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge to split the breaks into two 15-minute periods if you are not able to take a 30-minute break.
We discussed the challenges last week with the employer and will discuss again this week to find clarity on where and how you are to take your break. We have heard from many of you regarding the challenges in securing time for your 2 15-minute breaks on a duty day over 5 and 4 15-minute breaks when on duty over 10 hours, specifically when operating narrow body flying, domestically.
This is a minimum standard, as per the Canada Labour Code, and every effort should be made to take your break, the reality being this may be a challenge due to service guidelines and staffing levels onboard.
The Component has set up a form (https://accomponent.ca/crew-break-concerns/) for you to report the inability to take your break, please report all compliance issues here.
We will update when we have further information to share on this.
In solidarity,
