Recently we have been receiving an increased number of comments from members asking what is being done about certain issues. But when we verify if a report has been sent in, we find that none has. This bulletin is intended to set straight the value of reporting, what reporting is and isn’t, and how to report.

Reporting works!

On an individual basis you may not receive a satisfactory response or even notice change as a result of your health and safety complaint. However, behind the scenes, the number of complaints, and the information they share make a powerful difference.

When reporting works as intended, you won’t always notice the effects of your efforts. This is because change should and can happen before a process is implemented, product changed etc… The company proposed major service increases a few times this year. Each was either stopped or heavily diluted – in large part because our members did their part to report safety concerns. On the line, our members never had to deal with those changes. Proactive reporting is efficient when it happens in large numbers.

But lately we are receiving fewer reports. In the first two weeks of July, we have received a total of only 33 reports system-wide about the service increases despite hearing many comments and seeing many more posts on social media.

At the end of the day reporting isn’t just about your concern, it’s about our collective concerns. Your reports back us up, amplifying our voice as your representatives.

Who needs to report?

It is everyone’s responsibility under both SMS and the Canada Labour Code Part II, to report matters of health and safety to the company.

Don’t assume that someone else’s report captures your specific experience, concerns and observations related to an incident or potential hazard. These might be crucial to avoiding repeat events!

It doesn’t fall solely upon the in-charge or the captain to file reports for incidents, including but not limited to safety events, disruptive passengers, mask compliance events etc. Our members operating as in-charges are not there to file reports on our behalf.

Reports are protected from discipline:

Except for gross negligence or willful intent, you’re protected from discipline under the company’s safety reporting policy (see FAM/PUB Chapter 1) and section 147 of the Canada Labour Code Part II.

What reports do your health and safety reps see?

We are provided copies of:

• health and safety complaint e-reports
• workplace injury illness e-reports

We are not provided copies of:

• cabin safety e-reports
• disruptive passenger security e-reports
• Hazard e-reports

If you file one of these reports, we recommend providing us a copy if you intend for us to be aware.

Posting safety issues on social media?
If you have time to post or reply about an issue on FB, you have time to file a report. Period.

With many different online groups in existence, crews posting on a 24-hour clock, and highly customized viewing experiences, it is impossible for your reps to effectively monitor social media for health and safety issues.

Reporting systems exist to receive and track those complaints in an official manner – use them so that we can do our jobs representing you.

Should you still file an e-report if you told a manager about your safety concern, posted on Yammer or wrote an email about it?

YES. The Canada Labour Code stipulates that the company must attempt to resolve your health and safety complaint with you as soon as possible and allows for reports to be made verbally or in writing. This means that the clock starts ticking as soon as you’ve told a manager about it – no matter how.

That said, we have no way of knowing about a verbal complaint, or an email sent to a manager.

A formal report is entered and tracked in a database. This means that we not only see your complaint, but also the company’s response to you and whether you consider this satisfactory and why. Your report also  gets associated to hazards and is used to calculate important statistics that help drive change. Finally, by e-reporting, you can automatically refer your complaint to the joint health and safety committee if the company is unable to resolve the issue with you directly.

To ensure we are aware of your concerns, and that your rights are upheld, follow up on any verbal or email report using an e-report:

• When prompted, select that you have already raised the issue with your manager
• In the summary, state how and when.

Important note: You do not have to raise your concerns with a manager before submitting a health and safety complaint e-report.

The employer must attempt to resolve your concern as soon as possible, which has been defined by TC/ESDC as 30 days from the time it was initially raised with the company. If you receive no response, or the company is unable to resolve the issue you may refer it to the joint H&S Committee for investigation.

What if I call the local union office?

Expect your rep to request that a report is submitted before having a discussion. This isn’t your union ignoring you, but rather ensuring that you are guided to the only process that ensures your rights are upheld as a worker when it comes to safety. It will be our pleasure to chat once a report has been submitted. Should you need assistance filing a report, we can help!

How to report:

At Mainline:

– Sims.aircanada.ca or ACaeronet > Safety > Submit a safety report/SIMS

• Sign in using your Aeronet login credentials
• In the report menu at the top right of the screen, scroll down and select health and safety complaint e-report.

– AC e-reporting app for iOS (Android coming soon)

• On in-charge iPads
• Downloadable for FA’s ACAeronet > IFS > ePub > Administrative Procedures > cabin mobility > iMenu

– Paper-based forms are still available at the crew centres for use by flight attendants only.

At Rouge:

– Follow e-reporting process as outlined in your PUB.

In solidarity,

Your Air Canada Component of CUPE Health and Safety Committee

In January 2017, the Air Canada Component of CUPE launched a survey about the practice of starting boarding earlier than posted POS times. The results showed that our members found this challenging and unsafe in many cases.

Once again, the Union is hearing from its members that boarding is starting earlier, and that this is causing difficulties accomplishing the required tasks as well as undue stress during an already stressful time.

We are therefore re-issuing the bulletin on early boarding times, which has been updated.

Safety First Always: our culture, a right and the LAW:

Safety is not negotiated. It is regulated by the Aeronautics Act and the Canada Labour Code Part II. Under SMS, as well as the Canada Labour Code Part II it’s always our duty as cabin crew to report any safety hazards and comply with procedures designed to ensure a safe work environment for our fellow colleagues and customers. It is also the employer’s duty to ensure a safe workplace.

Both SMS and the CLC Part II offer protection from discipline when carrying out safety duties/reporting, as long as they are carried out in good faith.

This means that safety always gets addressed, no corners cut, no exceptions. You should never be pressured to knowingly skip published safety procedures, checks, or go below minimum equipment requirements for any reason including operational pressures – That’s the law.

What to do you do if you feel pressured to skip or rush your checks, briefing or other required safety duties:

• Confidently say that you need more time to complete your mandatory safety duties. The earlier you can communicate this to the right people (Captain, agent etc…) the better.
• If passengers arrive, politely ask them to wait on the bridge.
• If management follows up about a delay related to safety duties, make sure that they understand that. It’s important!
• In-charges should also file the appropriate reports to document any delays. This assists management in supporting you.

Report safety issues related to early boarding:

• If your attention to safety is not respected, report it to the company file a health and safety complaint e-report to ensure that your safety concerns get addressed!

At Mainline:

• Sims.aircanada.ca or ACaeronet > Safety > Submit a safety report/SIMS
  • Sign in using your Aeronet login credentials
  • In the report menu at the top right of the screen, scroll down and select health and safety complaint e-report.
• AC e-reporting app for iOS (Android coming soon)
  • On in-charge iPads
  • Downloadable for FA’s ACAeronet > IFS > ePub > Administrative Procedures > cabin mobility > iMenu

At Rouge:

• Follow e-reporting process as outlined in your PUB.

Safety duties that must be completed prior to boarding passengers 2.10.1/ 2.10.2:

• An In-charge must be assigned if none is present. Gate support personnel / management who are qualified as cabin crew cannot assume the role of in-charge but can act as crew even if they do not have a manual.
• PIC briefing to in-charge must occur. If the in-charge changes, the new IC must receive a PIC briefing and briefing from the outgoing IC.
• Crew positions must be assigned including any gate support or management acting as crew for boarding.
• In-charge/Crew briefing must occur and cover all mandatory elements on the briefing package.

• Cabin Crew carry-on baggage stowed in approved stowage compartments.
• Cabin Defect Log verified by In-Charge and crew informed of inoperative or unavailable equipment.
• Assigned jumpseat checked for serviceability.
• Required pre-flight checks completed.
• Water tanks levels meet required amount for the flight.
• Waste tanks have been serviced.
• Safety features cards correspond to the aircraft.
• Safety Demo kit / Video System accessible and functional.
• Circuit breakers are operative.
• Security inspection, as applicable: Galleys inspected to assess that no suspicious items are found in units/trolleys/ovens/bun warmers.
• Lavatories and cabin are free from packages, unaccounted baggage, notes and other possible security risks.
• Tamper-evident seals in lavatories are in place. If red dots are seen, advise the PIC immediately.
• Medipak required appliances are in specified location and PIC informed that Medipak is onboard or missing.
• Galley equipment secured, latched and operative.
• Door areas are clear and available during boarding for emergency use.
• Emergency Positions and Safety Equipment Checklist submitted to PIC.
• Cabin dividers / curtains opened and secured.
• IFE system ON.
• Video monitors are functional.

Safety duties that must be completed prior to aircraft movement  2.10.7:

• Submit the OSL displaying the Customer Weight & Balance to PIC whenever a non-required jumpseat position is assigned.
• All cabin baggage stowed in designated and approved area before aircraft doors are closed for departure
• Galleys and service equipment stowed and secured.
• Overhead bins and coatrooms closed and latched.
• All doors, exits and aisles free from any obstructions.
• Passenger chair tables stowed, chair backs upright, extendable footrests/leg rests stowed.
• Business Class armrests down.
• 737 and A220 Business Class aisle seat armrests up.
• Large portable electronic devices are turned off and stowed.
• Headsets/earphones, including Bluetooth/wireless headsets are removed for safety video/demo, unless they are connected to the IFE system.
• Passenger seat belts fastened.
• Special Attention Passengers, such as infants, UM’s, etc., briefed
• Overwing window, unmanned door/exit and A321 emergency exit (Doors 2 and 3) passengers briefed.
• Lavatories/Crew rest areas are vacant/free from packages, notes and other
• possible security risks.
• Door, emergency/overwing window exit window blinds opened or dimmed to the “clear” state.
• All passengers have visibility of safety video. Prepare for live safety demo
• as required.
• Personal televisions or cabin screens/video monitors deployed, then stowed
• upon completion of the safety video.
• Boarding music off.
• Wings are free of adhering contamination.
• Windscreens opened if applicable.

Safety Duties that must be completed for cabin secure/door closing 2.10.71:

• All cabin baggage stowed in approved stowage areas;
• Special Attention Passenger, overwing window, unmanned door/exit and
• emergency exit briefings;
• Passengers are seated, and cabins and galleys secured;
• Flight Attendants have confirmed to the In-Charge that all passengers are
• seated and cabins and galleys are secured for Taxi, Take-off and Landing

In solidarity,

Your Air Canada Component of CUPE Health and Safety Committee