Lisa Raymond, Author at AC Component

Boeing 737 Max Return to Service Union Update

Lisa Raymond on February 18, 2020

Last week on Thursday, February 13, 2020, eight members of the Component and Local Executives of CUPE Air Canada, CUPE Sunwing and CUPE WestJet met with Boeing at their facilities in Renton, Washington to be provided with specifics of the planned technical “fixes” to the B737 Max aircraft, updates on the resulting certification process from both the FAA and Transport Canada, as well as what the manufacturer’s return-to-service and pilot training programs looks like; all leading up to the return of this aircraft to our respective networks.

The invitation to our Unions from Boeing was a result of our joint letter dated November 7, 2019 to then CEO of Boeing Mr. Dennis Muilenburg. The agenda for the day was organized and facilitated by Boeing’s Senior Manager, International Communications for The Americas.

The Unions began the day with a stop at Boeing’s Safety Promotion Center located in Everett, WA. The Center presents content from significant and industry shaping aviation disasters of the past. Designed primarily for their internal employees, according to Boeing, the center focuses on sharing “safety information and lessons learned amongst different internal organizations that design, build, support and operate our product…” ensuring that safety is “engrained in our safety culture.” The visit by the Union leaders to the Safety Promotion Center was clearly designed to showcase to the Unions the manufacturer’s ‘commitment’ to safety in the face of the Max accidents and ongoing grounding.

The Union leaders were then brought to the Renton Delivery and Flight-Testing Center where numerous B737 Max8 aircraft are parked awaiting delivery. The delegation was hosted to a private presentation by Boeing’s Captain Jennifer Henderson, Chief Pilot, Boeing 737. Captain Henderson’s presentation outlined the state of the aircraft pre-grounding, the work that has taken place since the grounding and the planned results and state of the aircraft’s systems once it returns to service. The presentation was technical in nature, and the Unions had opportunity throughout to ask questions and clarify the content and technical details. Information regarding Boeing’s recommended flight crew simulator and training requirements prior to the return of the aircraft was also provided.

The Union leadership of the Air Canada Component of CUPE, CUPE Local 4055 (Sunwing Cabin Crew) and CUPE 4070 (WestJet Cabin Crew) remain steadfast in our joint commitment to the more than 12,000 members that we proudly serve. Our members will be the aviation professionals whom the travelling public will look to for confidence and context in our cabins when the Max flies again. The Unions’ leadership will continue to work together with the sole focus of ensuring that the B737 Max is a safe workplace should we endorse this equipment type as safe to operate on.

It is the duty of your respective Unions to ensure that all workplaces that our members are asked to operate in are safe, secure and free from known or identified hazards. The Unions are committed to continuing our collaborative scrutiny of the Boeing Max.

The Unions will be engaged in the regulatory approval process directly with Transport Canada, as well as the eventual return-to-service plans for the aircraft with our Employers. CUPE National and our three Unions have already been engaged with Transport Canada on this file, and will continue to be active in ensuring that our 12,000 members who are affected will be represented in all discussions and decisions at the Federal Government level.

If you have any further questions related to the Boeing Max and your Union’s action plan, please contact your Component or Local directly.

In Solidarity,

Wesley Lesosky
President
Air Canada Component of CUPE
w.lesosky@accomponent.ca

Rena Kisfalvi
President
CUPE Local 4055 – Sunwing
president@local4055.com

Chris Rauenbusch
President
CUPE Local 4070 – WestJet
chris.rauenbusch@cupe4070.ca

REMINDER – Survey Regarding Emotional Support Animals Onboard Aircraft

Lisa Raymond on February 18, 2020

This is a reminder to provide us with your input on our consultation with the Canadian Transportation Agency regarding Emotional Support Animals on-board our aircraft.

Please see the introduction and survey link below which may assist you with a concise and timely submission.

The Canadian Transportation Agency is currently consulting on its proposed Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR). We recently learned of an opportunity through which to provide union consultation on these regulations, and particularly of relevance to us is the issue of untrained emotional support animals. See here for more information: https://otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/consultation/accessible-transportation-persons-with-disabilities-regulations.

The union plans to draft submissions on this issue, and we feel that member feedback is essential. The union is very cognizant of the issue of animals onboard, and we want to ensure that our workers feel safe and respected. We would like to hear from you and represent your voices in the submissions we will provide to the CTA. We include questions from the consultation, as well as some of our own, below. Please share your thoughts with us to the best of your ability. It is not necessary to answer every question. We truly value any feedback you can share with us.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PBY2SF9

In solidarity,

Survey – Canadian Transportation Agency Consultation On Emotional Support Animals Onboard Aircraft

Lisa Raymond on February 14, 2020

The Canadian Transport Agency is currently consulting on its proposed Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR). We recently learned of an opportunity through which to provide Union consultation on these regulations, and particularly of relevance to us is the issue of untrained emotional support animals. See here for more information: https://otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/consultation/accessible-transportation-persons-with-disabilities-regulations.

The Union plans to draft submissions on this issue, and we feel that member feedback is essential. The Union is very cognizant of the issue of animals onboard, and we want to ensure that our workers feel safe and respected. We would like to hear from you and represent your voices in the submissions we will provide to the CTA. We include questions from the consultation, as well as some of our own, below. Please share your thoughts with us to the best of your ability. It is not necessary to answer every question. We truly value any feedback you can share with us.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PBY2SF9

In solidarity,

Coronavirus Update 9

Lisa Raymond on February 14, 2020

2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV): FAQs

Is 2019-nCoV a health and safety issue?
Absolutely. CUPE reiterates the call for all airlines to engage with their policy and workplace health and safety committees and act on their recommendations for company-specific safety measures to protect their workers from exposure.

What are the signs of 2019-nCoV?
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada [1], people infected with 2019-nCoV may have little to no symptoms. A person may not know they have symptoms of 2019-nCoV because they are very similar to the common cold or a flu.

Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to the virus. However, Public Health Ontario [2] has reported that the average incubation period centres around five days.

Symptoms of 2019-nCoV may include:

fever
cough
difficulty breathing
pneumonia in both lungs

How is 2019-CoV contracted?
There are three general ways that illness can be “spread” from person-to-person: through contact, aerosol (droplets) or airborne transmission.

Contact is just as it sounds. An infected person is in physical contact with an unaffected person and transfers the virus.
Aerosol or droplet spread happens when fluids in large droplets from a sick person come into contact with the eyes, nose, mouth or a cut in the skin of an uninfected person. Due to their size, droplets do not hang in the air but may contaminate surfaces.
Airborne spread happens when the infectious biological material (virus, bacteria etc.) floats through the air after a person talks, coughs or sneezes. Those germs can be inhaled even after the original person is no longer nearby.

According to Public Health Ontario (PHO), coronaviruses are transmitted between people most readily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected individual coughs or sneezes, and also possibly through contaminated objects including surfaces or objects contaminated with infectious droplets.

Additionally, according to PHO, there have been reports of potential asymptomatic transmission of the virus. If the virus can be transferred during the incubation period, then a person can spread the virus unknowingly for 5 days.

Airborne transmission has not been ruled out. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada “Significant additional information is still required to identify the cause of the outbreak, to fully understand how the disease is transmitted, and the severity of illness it causes in humans.”[3]

Should I wear a mask on board an airplane?
It is very important to understand the different types of “masks” which exist. As mentioned in the first update (below), surgical masks are not designed to filter air that is breathed in – they only capture large droplets from the wearer.

When workers ask whether a tight-fitting surgical mask provides any protection, the answer often is that it’s “better than nothing”. However, many people get a false sense of security that is not warranted while wearing surgical masks.

Following the precautionary principle, CUPE recommends that flight attendants who have to work closely with symptomatic people on board an airplane should be fitted for, and provided with, at least an N95 half-face respirator that provides a proper seal to the wearer’s face. This would require at least some of every crew to be fit-tested. If symptomatic passengers refuse to wear a surgical mask, then flight attendants should also where a face shield to protect droplets from getting into their eyes.

What should we do if someone shows signs of 2019-nCoV on the plane?
If a passenger is showing signs of the virus, they should be provided with – and told to wear – a surgical mask. This will help reduce the release of large droplets.

Always follow your airline-specific Standard Operating Procedures. CUPE reiterates the call for airlines to develop realistic procedures and/or engineering controls for isolating symptomatic passengers. We further call on airlines to plan ahead by leaving space on the plane to set up a minimal quarantine area for passengers who show symptoms and assign a limited number of flight attendants (who have the proper personal protective equipment) to work exclusively with these passengers.

What non-symptomatic protections should I undertake? [or ] What else can I do personally?
CUPE members should ensure a strong commitment to hand hygiene. This includes frequent hand washing and using gloves when interacting with items that have been in contact with passengers. Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose or mouth.

CUPE reiterates the call for cleaning that follows the American CDC-recommended guidelines for cleaning aircraft after a symptomatic passenger has been on board. Airlines should also increase the frequency of deep clean procedures to ensure that surfaces do not remain contaminated.

Are people who “look Chinese” more likely to have the virus?
No. This is simply false and causes negative social impacts. Sadly, anti-Asian racism and xenophobia have spiked in the context of the recent outbreak. This pattern of refueled racism towards the Asian population globally is causing harm, much like what happened during the SARS pandemic. Indictments and blame of Chinese people (and those presumed to be Chinese) are not acceptable. Jokes associating the virus with people of Asian descent are likewise unacceptable.

CUPE stands with those of Chinese heritage and condemns any form of harassing, racist, and discriminatory remarks, and any acts of violence, directed towards them.

If you are a flight attendant who experiences any form of harassment, racism and/or discrimination in the workplace, remember that this is a violation of your human rights and can be grieved even when the collective agreement doesn’t address these issues.
Additionally, under health and safety law, the airlines are required to provide a healthy and safe workplace, so incidents should be reported to your immediate supervisor and health and safety committee as well.

[1] https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/frequently-asked-questions.html

[2] https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/what-we-know-feb-04-2020.pdf?la=en

[3] https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals.html

In Solidarity,

Wesley Lesosky
President, Air Canada Component of CUPE