Lisa Raymond, Author at AC Component

Pre-Employment Agreements

Lisa Raymond on September 17, 2019

In April of 2018 our Union filed a grievance (CHQ-18-31 Unreasonable Exercise of Management Rights and Human Rights- Pre-Employment Agreements) in relation to pre-employment agreements.

Unbeknownst to the Union, Air Canada had been asking new and prospective employees to sign an agreement prior to being hired. This pre-employment agreement asked the new hires to acknowledge and agree that as a condition of employment, they would not consume any narcotic or illicit drug. They would also agree that for a period of two years from their hiring date, they would be called randomly and would subject themselves to unannounced testing. If the test was positive, there would then be an evaluation by a substance abuse consultant and any failure to submit to testing would result in termination of their employment.

The Union brought this case forward to Level II and it was subsequently denied. The Union feels very strongly about this case and the violations of Human Rights that stem from this agreement and its requirements.

It is our view that any terms in a pre-employment agreement between the Company and an individual does not survive the act of hiring the individual as a bargaining unit member and is not enforceable. Put in plain terms, it is our firm position that as soon as someone becomes a Union member they are no longer held to the terms of these agreements.

We are putting out a call to all members to ask that if you have been required to sign any pre-employment agreement regarding random drug and alcohol testing that you contact me at t.mitchell@accomponent.ca.

Here for you,

Theresa Mitchell
Vice-President, Air Canada Component of CUPE

Settlement on Service Director Duty Period Limitations

Lisa Raymond on September 17, 2019

In February 2017, the Air Canada Component of CUPE filed a grievance about the duty period limitation for Service Directors. That grievance has proceeded through the grievance and arbitration process. During that process and with the assistance of the arbitrator, the Union and Management were able to settle the grievance.

The terms of the settlement provide that all Service Directors on the service director seniority list as of October 15th, 2019, who were active in at least one month since February 2017, will receive $150.00 as a one-time compensation.

The issue of duty period limitation for Service Directors will be addressed during the ongoing 2019-2022 re-opener discussions between Management and the Union. Between now and the end of the re-opener discussions, the current status quo will be maintained, meaning that all Service Directors’ pre duty period time in excess of Flight Attendants’ pre duty period time will not be included in the duty period limitations.

In Solidarity,

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

Personal Effects

Lisa Raymond on September 16, 2019

As a follow up to the Health and Safety bulletin issued about the increasing problem of theft or accidental removal of personal property of cabin crew on-board the aircraft (click HERE to view Health & Safety bulletin), we wish to advise you that we have now filed a policy grievance on the matter for our Mainline and Rouge members.

Click HERE to view the Mainline policy grievance.
Click HERE to view the Rouge policy grievance.

We have had discussions with Air Canada on this matter since coming into office, at UMHQ as well as ad hoc, about the need for a secure stowage location on-board all aircraft but the company does not agree. We always wish to attempt to correct these issues with the Company prior to filing grievances, but unfortunately this is one issue we were not able to resolve.

Thank you to those who have written in, come in to the local offices to express concern as well as the hundreds of members who reached out through the recent Health and Safety Survey. We found your responses to be very helpful and informative.

In Solidarity,

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

RBP Program & Denial Due to Language

Lisa Raymond on September 13, 2019

As many of you are aware, the RBP program comes around once a year and is contractual and found in the Collective Agreement. The terms they are awarded by are clear to the Union, “In order of classification and seniority by base, not language”.

We have filed CHQ-19-39 (click HERE to view) as this is a clear violation in the awarding of the highly desirable RBP’s. Our members with languages should not be subject to further issues because of their language.

In Solidarity,

Wesley Lesosky
President, Air Canada Component of CUPE

OBSM Follow Up

Lisa Raymond on September 13, 2019

As a follow up to our August 23, 2019 OBSM bulletin, we want to speak about the OBSM program and respond to something that has come to our attention.

Despite our numerous examples of inappropriate discipline and despite the fact that we have shown time and time again the effect that this program is having on the overall morale of our members, the Company continues to press on. We are overseeing this program with intense scrutiny and will defend our members at every turn.

In a recent Company Issued bulletin we once again saw a “tip from an OBSM”. This tip suggested:
“If you’re in the boarding lounge waiting for your aircraft to arrive with your colleagues, consider looking for opportunities to engage with customers waiting to board your flight. You can get to know them better before they board and they will likely be both surprised and delighted to get a chance to meet you before they are onboard.”

If our crew members are waiting for the arrival of their aircraft they are preparing themselves for the flight ahead. This type of suggestion is not well received. We will continue to push back on any attempts to treat our members unfairly and to expand their work. We would like to remind all members that while this may be a “tip” and a suggestion by an OBSM we do NOT expect our members to be socializing with passengers in the boarding lounge especially as this is unpaid time.

In solidarity,

Pre-Employment Agreements

Settlement on Service Director Duty Period Limitations

Personal Effects

RBP Program & Denial Due to Language

OBSM Follow Up

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Air Canada Component of CUPE

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