A Message From Your President

Air Transat
The Union has been inundated with emails asking what will happen with the possibility of Air Transat being acquired by Air Canada.  Until we have anything confirmed by Air Canada, this is not something that we can comment on as there are multiple scenarios that could take us forward.  You have our sincere promise to keep you posted as we move forward and have factual information to update the membership with.
Bargaining
With serving notice to bargain at the end of March, your Bargaining Committee has been very busy preparing for negotiations for the 2019 Re-Opener.  For the past month, the Bargaining Committee has been meeting to develop and review proposals for both Air Canada Mainline and Rouge.  This process is a long one, with tons of work involved to ensure each proposal meets the standards to better the working conditions and Health & well being of our members.  Please stay tuned for further updates in the coming months as we meet with the Company.
B1
The B1 Judicial Review hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 29, 2019, commencing at 10:00 am, and will be held in Courtroom 3 at Osgoode Hall, which is located at 130 Queen Street West in Toronto.
If you choose to attend, we would like to remind observers that respectful decorum is enforced by the Court. Please note the following:
For security purposes, you may be searched before entering the courthouse and/or before entering any particular courtroom. Some courthouses have metal detectors at their entrances and court security officers may ask to search your belongings, including briefcases, backpacks, and purses. Before arriving at the courthouse, make sure you do not have any pocket or utility knives or anything else that may be considered a weapon. These items may be confiscated, and you may be denied entry into the courthouse.
Be on time. Because people entering and exiting the courtroom can be very distracting, you may be required to wait outside of the courtroom until an appropriate break in the proceedings.
When the courtroom is open, please find a seat in the gallery. Standing is generally not permitted in courtrooms.
Please turn off your cellphone before entering the courtroom. Members of the public are not permitted to use electronic devices  (e.g. cellphones, cameras, recording devices etc.) in courtrooms unless the presiding judge orders otherwise. Counsel, parties, and members of the media may use electronic devices subject to certain conditions and restrictions.
Committee Chair Meeting
On May 14, 2019, your Component Officers met with most of the Chairs of our Component Committees.  Please see the list of attendees below. This was a great opportunity meeting face to face to hear from each Committee on how the Component can better help them in their role as Chair.  The objectives of the meeting were to build solidarity between the Committees and Component Executive, receive feedback from the Committee Chairs and learn about what each Committee’s role is in the Union and to share knowledge amongst the Committees to benefit the membership.  The meeting was well received and a success and will be an annual event!
● Benefits – Alison MacDonald
● Communications – Nicola Schnell
● Central Site – Karen Pritchard
● Crew Rest – Robert Hatfield
● Education – Victoria Primavera
● Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Mary Keough
● Grievance – Carmela Iermieri
● Health & Safety – Jordan Bray-Stone
● Hotels – Alex Habib
● Mobilization – Nicola Schnell
● New Aircraft – Cesar Martello
● Pension – Alex Habib
● Preferential Bidding System (PBS) – Paul Bouchard & Marie-Eve Simard
● Reserve – Jesse Matthews and Chanelle Gauthier
● Uniform – Jennifer Agmon & Philippe Rosseau
● Workplace Insurance Program (WIP) – Patricia Eberley
● Worker’s Compensation – Tamara Di Maddalena
Flight Attendant Day – watch for the logo!
You may have noticed the Logo that has recently been appearing on the bottom of our bulletins, this is something we hope all will embrace and recognize for years to come.  We will have some great things happening on Friday, May 31st for all our members, and look forward to seeing you at your bases!  Be sure to swing by on your way through to your flights or en route to your layover for some swag and to celebrate with us.

B737
Many of you have been reaching out with regards to the status of the B737.  We have communicated with the Company to seek further clarity, get an update on the process and to find out where we are at with its re-introduction to the fleet.  We have sent the attached letter to Transport Canada regarding this issue, click HERE to view.  It reiterates your concerns, the Union’s concerns and the concerns of many.  We need to be an active participant in the discussions of the re-introduction of the B737 and we look forward to this in the short term.
787
Some members had written to the Union after reports emerged in the media about Boeing’s 787 facility in South Carolina. A letter has been sent to Transport Canada requesting clarity on this matter. Click HERE to view.
In solidarity,
Wesley Lesosky
President, Air Canada Component of CUPE
w.lesosky@accomponent.ca