The Safer Skies campaign site is now live at saferskiesnow.ca. Please circulate and encourage your networks to sign a letter to the transport minister on the site.
There is also a web post available here explaining the campaign:
In solidarity,
There may be times when it is difficult to navigate the numerous policies that the Company creates. It is generally known that employers do have the right to develop rules and policies for the workplace. It is, however, very important to keep in mind that it is not an absolute right. The Union will sometimes take issue with a new or amended policy and you will often see policy grievances filed to address those concerns. A classic decision for the principles relevant to a review of an employer rule or policy is KVP Co. Ltd. (1965), 16 LAC 73. Its basic principles include the following:
As you are likely aware Air Canada has amended its onboard services for passengers. We have been monitoring this situation closely and have had ongoing discussions with the Company to express our concerns about increasing the amount of interactions that our members have with passengers. We believe that the best approach is one that limits the interactions to the greatest extent possible.
In conjunction with your Health and Safety Committee we have expressed our concerns and the Company has taken them into consideration. As you will see onboard there are no special meals, limited beverage options, minimized touch points, and requested that instead of explaining what beverages are available that they be placed on the bar cart so that passengers can indicate their selection by pointing instead of speaking. The Company also moved forward with a more direct announcement on masks during service and pickup. We will continue to press on these issues as it is crucial to do so.
We would like to receive feedback from you about the changes to the service. It is constructive to have those who have now done the new service to provide us with their feedback. It will then assist us to go back to the Company armed with your suggestions and comments. Listening and implementing the input from those of you who have done the service is very valuable and a practical approach.
It is our sincere belief that if we continue to communicate that we can do all in our power to ensure that what is being done will be most beneficial to those that are working through this pandemic and facing so many challenges. Your health and safety are important to us and we want to hear from you.
Please reply to this email or email us at contact@accomponent.ca with your comments and suggestions.
In solidarity,
The Union has been inundated with those who are seeking further information on the announcement from Air Canada today informing us that Rouge will be restarting in the third quarter.
We have been in discussions with the Company on the planned start-up, but until we have a confirmed date/block month and a visual of what the start-up at Air Canada Rouge will be, it is hard to inform members of what this will look like.
We can confirm that all spots open at either Air Canada Mainline OR Air Canada Rouge will be offered to members, in seniority order, from the Master Cabin Personnel Seniority List. This is supported fully by clear language in our Collective Agreement.
All members that are offered positions at Air Canada Rouge, who are current Air Canada Mainline members will maintain their Air Canada pay, benefits and pension. Work rules, vacation time and sick time will fall to LOU 55 of the Collective Agreement.
When we know more about this we will certainly provide updated information as we understand how important it is.
In solidarity,
The Company recently announced that it will be rolling back its policy of designating forward lavatories for crew use only. July 27th this process started for narrow-body, and August 10th it will commence on widebody aircraft. This comes after many weeks of back and forth between the Union and management, where we raised very strong objections to this change so early on.
The Union and its health and safety representatives believe that it is crucial to follow two fundamental rules of health and safety when adopting and modifying procedures such as the designated lavatories:
1. The precautionary principle, which states that action to reduce risk should not await scientific certainty, but that employers should take steps in favor of prevention until they are proven to be to be ineffective.
By removing the designated lavatories for crew, the Union firmly believes the Company is failing to abide by these two principles. The Company asserts that in providing things such as temperature screening, announcements, enhanced aircraft grooming, and PPE for crew and face coverings for passengers, designated LAVs are no longer necessary. However, there are significant holes in these measures which simply cannot offset the benefits afforded by a lavatory reserved for crew only.
The pandemic is still ongoing, and the full effects of economic re-openings around the globe are just beginning to be known. Both ICAO (United Nations) and IATA (worldwide airline industry association of which Air Canada is a member) both recommend designating lavatories when possible. Accordingly, it is both unfortunate and disheartening to see the Company deviating from internationally recognized guidance, and rolling back measures designed and implemented to protect its workers. We’ve been through a lot and the Union believes its members deserve better.
How to make your voice heard:
We are working around the clock to make sure your concerns are heard and making a difference as the company revamps its product and service level. We cannot say “we saw things on Facebook” when we discuss matters with management. It is untraceable and citing discussions we see could violate the trust we have as colleagues. Because of this Facebook is best left for casual discussions – not reporting issues you want fixed. Please help us do our jobs so that you can come to work and confidently do yours, REPORT:
· AQD iPad app if you are an SD. If you are an SD filling out a report for an FA on your iPad it is very important to ensure that you fill in their name as the reporting employee so that the system attributes it to them, not you.
– You will pass through two login screens.
– Click on the small (it’s very small!) e-report tab in the top left of the screen.
– On the next screen, select health and safety complaint from the menu on the right
pop-up will appear.
– Remember to use your Air Canada email address.
– Before clicking “submit” verify the “set department” button just to the left and ensure IFS DEPARTMENT is selected.
We strongly suggest typing the text of your complaint in a blank email so that it isn’t lost if there is a problem submitting.
Your Union H&S reps will be able to see your report in the safety system but send us an email to let us know you’ve submitted it with the report reference number.
We remain available to our members during this difficult time. Stop by one of our offices, or write to contact@accomponent.ca (non-urgent) or 247@accomponent.ca (questions that can’t wait until the next business day).
In solidarity,
Your Air Canada Component of CUPE Health and Safety Committee
