days until our Collective Agreement expires, we are preparing, we are united and we will make change.

Chiropodist Coverage for Members

On September 22nd ACCEX advised members of the process the Union has undertaken for the second contract reopener. They also provided information on the outcome of the first reopener and the changes to the Collective Agreement that stemmed from it. Click HERE to view that bulletin.

This bulletin is to advise you of a change to coverage for treatment by a chiropodist. Previously this was not provided for under the terms of the plan. Expenses for chiropodist treatments are now covered. The new language for this is found below. If you have any questions, please write to us at benefits@accomponent.ca.

22.02 SUPPLEMENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN II: The Company will pay 100% of the Air Canada Supplementary Health Insurance Plan II.

22.02.01 Expenses incurred for paramedical services of Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Naturopaths and Podiatrists/Chiropodists in Provinces where such services are not covered by the Provincial Medicare Plan will be covered to a maximum of fifty dollars ($50.00) per visit to a maximum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per person per year or two thousand dollars ($2,000) per family per year. In Provinces where the Provincial Medical Plan partially covers the fees for the eligible paramedical services, the Company Supplemental Health Plan will cover the difference between the actual fee and the amount covered by the Provincial Medical Plan provided that the applicable provincial legislation permits such coverage.

NOTE: Coverage for Podiatrist/Chiropodist is combined.

In Solidarity,

Your Component Benefits Committee

Sick Leave Policy Grievances Update – Will be forwarded to Arbitration

We wanted to update you on the status of the 3 policy grievances filed challenging the recent sick leave policy changes made by Air Canada.

For more details, please click on the following links to see our previous bulletins:
June 7, 2023 bulletin
June 12, 2023 bulletin

Yesterday, on October 18, 2023, the 3 policy grievances were presented at mediation however we were unable to reach any resolution. As a result, the Union will now be forwarding all 3 grievances to arbitration. We will keep you updated on the date once it is confirmed.

In the meantime, we wish to remind you of the following when you are sick and must book off:

  1. Please ensure to book off more than 4 hours prior to departure.
  2. If Air Canada requests a note from a medical practitioner, you have the option of utilizing the Maple app for a virtual appointment as you see fit.
  3. When booking back on, please make sure to do so when you are fit to return to work.
  4. Please note that as per company policy a Continuous Absence is an absence in which an employee books off – books on, followed by another book off without a scheduled duty in between. If you want to make sure that the absence is not treated as continuous, you will need to advise them that the 2 book offs were for different or separate illnesses. It may be your preference to ensure that your absences are properly represented. If your book off was for the same illness there is no need to advise them.

As always, if you are unsure of your rights, please contact your local union office for assistance

In Solidarity,

Wesley Lesosky
President, Air Canada Component of CUPE

Management Discussions

We wanted to send a reminder to all members, Air Canada Mainline and Air Canada Rouge, about their right to Union representation. In any circumstances in which you are approached or receive a call from your manager or a representative of the Company, you are entitled to Union representation.

For our Mainline Members, the language states:

14.02  During an interview between the Company and the employee, and where disciplinary action is contemplated, or where a performance meeting is held, the employee may request the presence of a Union representative.

For our Rouge Members, the language states:

L55.20.03 During an interview between the Company and the Employee where disciplinary action is contemplated, or where a performance meeting is held, the employee may request the presence of a Union representative.

As you can see the Collective Agreement language is the same for both groups. Keep in mind that you are the one who should be requesting Union representation. Please do this as soon as you are made aware of a need for it.

This is your right, and must be respected.  If you request a Union Representative and it is denied, please immediately advise the Union without delay.

In solidarity,

Homewood Health Resources Are In Place

In these unprecedented times, it is natural to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or uncertain about the world around us.  The ongoing challenges we face can often make it seem like everything is turned upside down.  However, we want you to know that you are not alone in navigating these difficulties.

The EAP – Peer Assistance Program, in collaboration with Homewood Health, is here to support you.  Our dedicated team of peer assistants understands the unique struggles you may be facing and is committed to providing you with the necessary resources and assistance to help you through these challenging times.

We want to emphasize that our programs are a safe and unbiased place for you to seek support.  Our sole purpose is to assist you in finding the resources you need to cope with any personal or professional challenges you may be experiencing.

Whether you are dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, financial concerns, or any other difficulties, our team is here to refer you to the appropriate resources.  We have a wide range of services available, including counselling, therapy, workshops, and educational materials, all designed to help you navigate through these uncertain times.

Remember, reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and we encourage you to take advantage of the EAP-Peer Assistance Program.  Your well-being is our priority, and we are here to provide you with the guidance and support you need.

To access our services, please contact us by phone (see the numbers listed below), or by email at eap.accomponent.ca. All conversations and interactions with our team are strictly confidential, ensuring your privacy and peace of mind.

You can also directly call Homewood Health and speak with someone right away.

We understand that the world may feel upside down at the moment, but together, we can find stability and support.

Stay strong, stay connected, and remember that we are here for you!

In solidarity,

Your Peer Assistance Team

 

Vanessa Beaudoin-Grégoire
EAP – Peer Assistance Program
National Chair

v.beaudoin@accomponent.ca

YUL:
Office:  514-422-2041
Cell:  514-862-2041

YYZ:
Office:  905-676-2088
Cell:  647-802-0895

YYC:
Cell:  403-472-6868

YVR:
Office:  604-270-5703
Cell:  778-991-4112

November 2023 Contract Seminars Base Wide / Séminaires de contrats à l’échelle de la base

We are following up on our previous bulletin, click HERE to view, regarding the educational contract seminars we will be holding at each base in November.  The dates and locations of these seminars are as follows:

Monday, November 6
YVR 10:00-13:00 VANCOUVER Mainline
Air Canada Operations Centre RONDELLE ROOM
6001 Grant McConachie Way Richmond BC

Tuesday, November 7
YYC 10:00-13:00 CALGARY Mainline
Silver Dart Room – Mezzanine Level
Calgary Airport 2000 Airport Rd NE, Calgary, AB

Thursday, November 9
YUL Mainline 10:00-13:00 MONTREAL Mainline
YMQ Rouge 13:00-16:00 MONTREAL Rouge
MONTREAL AIRPORT IN TERMINAL HOTEL Topaz Room
800 Pl Leigh-Capreol, Dorval, QC

Friday, November 10
YYZ Mainline 10:00-13:00 TORONTO Mainline
YTO Rouge 13:00-16:00 TORONTO Rouge
ALT HOTEL Rose Fuchsia Room
6080 Viscount Road, Mississauga, ON

These seminars are intended to educate our members in the language of our Collective Agreement as it relates to block rules and some of the contract intricacies.

We know that there are members who have asked how this language applies in simple terms. This we hope will give them a deeper knowledge and understanding of contract language applications so that they can address Crew Scheduling or management and know their rights under the CA.

If there is time at the end of each presentation, we will be able to take questions related to the materials presented.  As always, any questions or concerns can be emailed directly to your local union representatives for follow up.

We will be serving coffee and tea and pastries at each session. In order to plan for the number of attendees we ask that members who will be attending fill out the form in the link below:

https://forms.office.com/r/eenb0riT7q

We are very excited about this initiative and hope that it sheds some light on contract language and provides you with the confidence required to assert your rights.

In solidarity,