We would like to thank all of those who joined the webinar yesterday. We were impressed by the large participation and overwhelmed by the amount of questions. We would like to further clarify a few items and share a link to review the webinar for those who could not make it.

Many members have reached out regarding EI/CERB benefits and have asked what happens if they decline a recall to Rouge.  We have heard back from CUPE National and have been advised that each case would need to be reviewed based on its own circumstances through Service Canada so we advise those of you in this predicament to reach out immediately to Service Canada if it is your intention to decline the recall. If you are declined EI, you should reach out to the Union so we can review and follow up immediately.

In addition, we wanted to clarify that WIP is applicable while working at Rouge and receiving Mainline Benefits and Pay for those that accept the recall to Rouge. One correction we need to make is the number of sick hours one would receive if they accept this current recall to Rouge. You would receive a prorated entitlement for 2020 of 8 sick hours for the remainder of 2020 in your bank and would receive an additional 48 hours on January 1, 2021 if you are still at Rouge at that time.

Here is a link to review the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/1WRxqmstIhtkyy9hX1k9tLzhDxiiv3dvwJuUu36w-U3oUzbA-KkZ2uuZdwkZXQY6.M1lC–lDyPKPSGeS

Please check your email with this bulletin or email contact@accomponent.ca to receive the proper passcode to access the recording.

We once again thank members for their participation in yesterday’s webinar and hope to schedule future webinars this fall on more matters that are of concern to everyone.

Again, if you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Union at contact@accomponent.ca.  Just as a reminder, you have until September 15, 2020 at 2359EDT to reply with an acceptance to your recall notice, otherwise you have until September 22, 2020 at 2359EDT to advise the employer of your decision to decline.

In solidarity,

The Union was just advised that on top of the 250 announced recalls for Air Canada Mainline, there are a further 46 recalls needed, bringing the total to 296.  Once these are issued, there will be 140 recalls to Air Canada Rouge issued as originally communicated.

Thank you, and welcome back to all those getting their recall notices this week.

In solidarity,

The Union is happy to announce that the Company has just advised us that there will be 250 recall notices going out shortly for Cabin Crew positions at Air Canada Mainline.  Those recalled to Air Canada Mainline will be recalled back to their home base. In addition, the Company has advised us that there will be 140 recall notices for Cabin Crew positions at Air Canada Rouge. These positions at Air Canada Rouge will all be Toronto based.

The recalls to Mainline will take effect for the October 2020 block month and you must accept your recall within 7 days.

The recalls to Air Canada Rouge will be for the November 2020 block month with training to commence in October 2020.  If you intend to accept the recall to Air Canada Rouge you must respond to it within 7 calendar days. Please be sure to review all information about the working conditions at Air Canada Rouge before you accept.  Take your time to review the information and be certain that you understand what this role will entail.  If you require any clarification or information, we encourage you to reach out to us directly by email so we can get back to you in a timely manner.

If you do not wish to accept a position at Air Canada Rouge you have 14 days to advise of such in order to be eligible for future recalls. You must reply to the recall notice to maintain your eligibility for future recalls. Please note that declining a recall to Rouge will not affect your seniority and you will be eligible for future recalls to both Mainline and Rouge that are offered in the future.

All members being recalled will be notified via registered letter.  Please note that due to COVID-19, there may be some delays in these letters reaching you. To compensate for this the Company will also be advising all those recalled via Company email and a courtesy phone call.  Please check your recall notice for more details.

As a reminder the Collective Agreement says the following about recalls:

17.16.02  An employee on laid-off status shall be notified by the applicable company, of the first available assignment either at Air Canada Mainline or at Air Canada Rouge to which his/her seniority entitles him. Failure to advise the applicable company within seven (7) calendar days of the registered postmark date of his/her desire to be considered for the assignment shall disqualify him for the assignment.

Recall notice shall be sent by registered mail to the last address filed with the company.

The Company will reach out to you via registered letter to the last address you have listed with the employer.  You have 7 calendar days to reply to the employer if you intend on accepting your recall, from the date the letter was post marked.  We have been advised that the letters will go out September 8, 2020.

If your recall is to Air Canada Rouge (and you are a Mainline member), you do not need to accept but you must still reply to the recall notice. In this case you have up to 14 calendar days to reply to the employer advising that you are not interested in the recall but wish to be maintained on the seniority list for future recalls.  Failure to respond to the recall notice will result in your name being removed from the seniority list.

One question that we have been asked and which we think is very important for us to answer is:

Do I have to accept a position back to my home base?  Can I decline the recall coming back to where I was laid off from?
As per Article 17.16.04 the following is applicable:

17.16.04  If the employee is notified of a permanent assignment at the point of layoff, s/he must accept, and report for duty within fourteen (14) calendar days from the date notice was sent. An acceptance of permanent assignment at other than the point of layoff shall be optional for the individual concerned; however, should s/he accept, s/he shall report for duty within twenty-one (21) calendar days from the date of registered postmark. This time limit may be extended by Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge, as applicable, under extenuating circumstances.

We want to make sure that you have all of the information available to you so that you can make an informed and appropriate decision. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us for clarity on the process or any concerns that you may have.

In solidarity,