Lisa Raymond, Author at AC Component

On International Flight Attendant Day, CUPE flight attendants ask: what is the Trudeau government’s plan to safely reopen the aviation sector?

Lisa Raymond on May 31, 2021

The following press release was issued today:

On International Flight Attendant Day, CUPE flight attendants ask: what is the Trudeau government’s plan to safely reopen the aviation sector?

VANCOUVER – On International Flight Attendant Day, Canada’s flight attendant union is calling on the federal government to come forward with a plan to safely reopen the industry, which has been decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Workers deserve to hear how and when the Trudeau government will help our battered industry rebound,” said Wesley Lesosky, President of CUPE’s Airline Division, which represents 15,000 flight attendants at nine Canadian airlines. The majority of CUPE’s members in the airline industry have been laid off since the pandemic grounded most flights in March 2020.

For its part, CUPE believes COVID-19 safety protocols, including provision of PPE, adherence to ventilation controls, and mandatory masking for passengers and crew should continue until all cabin crew have had the opportunity to be fully immunized, and until senior public health officials declare the pandemic is over.

CUPE continues to support pre-boarding rapid testing as one of the best ways to create a safe cabin environment for crew and passengers. However, research and real-world evidence clearly show that pre-boarding temperature screening is ineffective at detecting COVID-19 positive cases, and should be abandoned.

“We acknowledge the rules and public health concerns vary from province to province,” added Lesosky. “That’s why we’re calling on the federal government to show leadership and begin charting a path alongside other levels of government, in order to begin safely reconnecting our communities and bringing back good jobs in this industry.”

In Solidarity,

Wesley Lesosky
President, Air Canada Component of CUPE

International Flight Attendant Day 2021

Lisa Raymond on May 31, 2021

Every year on May 31st, we celebrate International Flight Attendant Day. It is a day to recognize the crucial work Flight Attendants all around the world undertake each day to keep the public safe in the air.

As we enter the second year of this pandemic it is important for us to acknowledge and show our solidarity with all of the Flight Attendants that we proudly represent. Our 15,000 airline members have been deeply impacted. Working conditions are extreme, members are getting sick, and some have not been working at all for months because their airline has reduced or stopped flights.

This pandemic has turned our world upside down, but Flight Attendants have proven their resilience time and time again, and we will make it through.

Although we can’t celebrate this day the same way we have in the past, your Local & Component Presidents of CUPE’s Airline Division want to take this opportunity to wish all of you a Happy International Flight Attendant’s Day!

Please enjoy the video message that we have put together to commemorate this day.
https://cupe.ca/event/international-flight-attendant-day

In solidarity,

Your Airline Division Council Of Presidents

Workers’ Compensation Committee Update

Lisa Raymond on May 28, 2021

As many of you know the Air Canada Component houses many committees that work on your behalf on a regular basis. These Committees ensure not only your contractual rights are adhered to, but also to ensure you have other services available to advocate for you when you may find your self in a position where you need further assistance.

One committee that has historically been driven by the Air Canada Component was the Workers Compensation Committee. This committee provided appeal assistance with WSIB, WCB, and CNESST claims depending on the province. The committee has been staffed in Toronto and had additional volunteers throughout the system, typically based in YVR, YYZ and YUL.

Over the years we have had some amazing success stories advocating for workers’ rights. Doug Hay and most recently Tamara DiMaddalena have been instrumental in building the knowledge base and strength behind the committee. CUPE Quebec has since started offering service to our members in the way of appeal assistance with CNESST claims along with Local 4091. This is available to both Mainline and Rouge members based in Quebec.

Based on the success of that model moving forward, each local will be responsible for assisting members with claims assistance, and if there is an appeal to be had, we will also have the assistance of CUPE National to move your appeal forward.

Having a strong working relationship with CUPE National, and in the time of COVID being able to have additional assistance will only assist your Local and Component to advocate further for you.

Going forward, if you have a need to file a Workplace Injury Appeal, please reach out to your Local Union office who will be able to assist you.

Stay safe,

Local 4092 Vice President Election – 2021

Lisa Raymond on May 28, 2021

This is to advise that nominations took place, at a Local 4092 (YYZ) membership meeting which was held on May 13, 2021, to fill the vacant Local 4092 Vice President position. The following members were nominated:

Brian Buchanan
Shannon Leigh Jones

In accordance with Air Canada Component Bylaw C.8.3, an election must be held. Voting for this position will begin on June 8, 2021 at 9:00 am EDT, and end on June 22, 2021 at 12:00 pm EDT.

IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: You will receive a letter by email, and by regular mail for those that did not opt out of physical mailings, directly from Simply Voting prior to the vote opening. This letter will contain a new Elector ID and Password, along with detailed instructions on how to vote online and by telephone.

You have the option of voting by web, or by phone, as per Component Bylaws. You will need your new Elector ID and Password to access the system.

Once you have submitted your vote, the Simply Voting system will issue a printable electronic receipt. If you are voting by phone, you can only access your electronic receipt by logging into the Simply Voting system online.

If you are experiencing difficulties registering your vote, please e-mail vote@accomponent.ca or call 1-877-411-3552, extension 254 or (416) 798-3399, extension 254. Please provide us with your name, employee number, phone number, e-mail address, and postal code. We will respond as quickly as possible during business hours (weekdays 9:00am – 4:00pm EDT), however, please allow us 1 business day to respond.

As the campaigning process begins, we ask that everyone click HERE to review the Election Guidelines. These guidelines pertain not only to the candidates, but to the entire membership.

In Solidarity,

Your Component Tabulating Committee

CHQ-18-10: Crew Rest Unit Bunk Kits

Lisa Raymond on May 26, 2021

The Union is happy to advise that we have received a positive arbitration award on grievance CHQ-18-10: Crew Rest Unit Bunk Kits. The grievance was related to the number of sheets, blankets, and pillowcases that are to be provisioned for each crew member as outlined in LOU 28. The grievance proceeded to an arbitration hearing with our Chief Arbitrator William Kaplan on May 19, 2021.

The Union’s position was that LOU 28 was straightforward: for every flight leg scheduled to exceed 8 hours, cabin crew members shall receive two clean sheets, two clean pillowcases and two clean blankets. The Company took the position that it had a long-standing consistent practise of providing one sheet, one pillowcase and one blanket for each flight where a crew bunk kit was to be provided.

After reviewing the briefs, authorities and the submissions made at the hearing, Arbitrator Kaplan found that the grievance is allowed. He found that the Collective Agreement requirement is completely clear and does not permit for an interpretation brought forward by the Company. He found that the remedy should be limited to a declaration of breach with the Company provided sufficient time to come into compliance. A full copy of his award can be found HERE.

The Union has already reached out to Air Canada for a date of implementation of this award and once this is secured, we will advise.

In solidarity,

On International Flight Attendant Day, CUPE flight attendants ask: what is the Trudeau government’s plan to safely reopen the aviation sector?

International Flight Attendant Day 2021

Workers’ Compensation Committee Update

Local 4092 Vice President Election – 2021

CHQ-18-10: Crew Rest Unit Bunk Kits

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