Your Component Officers are providing a quick update to ensure that you are informed. We feel that it is a key element of effective and inclusive communication.
On May 30th, we are moving ahead with grievance CHQ-22-48, COLA ME TOO LOU 35 before Arbitrator Eli Gedalof. This is a public hearing, and we invite members to attend. If you wish to join us, please send us an email at contact@accomponent.ca. This will help us to communicate our numbers for lunch. The location of the hearing is 170 Attwell Drive, Suite 300, Toronto, ON. If you have any questions at all, please reach out to contact@accomponent.ca.
On May 31th, grievance CHQ-21-11 – Vacation Pay Credits on Off Duty Status is being heard by Arbitrator William Kaplan. This grievance is relating to the practice that Air Canada undertook of recuperating pay credits or not providing pay credits for vacation time accrued while cabin crew members were on Off-Duty Status during the COVID-19 pandemic. Air Canada placed a large percentage of CUPE members on Off-Duty Status between April 2, 2020, and June 7, 2020. This resulted in some members receiving reduced vacation payments.
We spoke with Nathalie Lemyre and Andrew Yiu late last week about numerous concerns that we have received from you. There were concerns about the lack of clarity on cabin crew jump seats and the order of priority for those travelling. It was our assertion that the FAM is clear, and crew are eligible for the jump seats with personal passes. Nathalie and Andrew agreed and have followed up with the external departments to ensure the process was clear and to be followed.
One of the other concerns that was reported to us was the fact that some members who were attempting to book back on during the weekend were being prevented from doing so due to the lack of availability of staff, or lack of knowledge of the process. In some cases, this resulted in a loss of wages. We have been assured that this matter will be resolved. For the book on process Air Canada will have a manned email on weekends from 8am to 2pm (Sat/Sun). If someone submits reports on Saturday or Sunday, they are evaluated and cleared back if they are ready to return to work. Natalie Lemyre suggested that adding regular reminders in block bidding packages would be helpful and you can expect to see that soon.
If booking back on during weekends and STAT holidays ONLY, please email: medical.ifs.weekend@aircanada.ca between 08:00-13:30 EST. The nurse on duty will evaluate the return to work scenario and process the request once the criteria is satisfied. Please remember to book back on after receiving your OCC HEALTH CLEARANCE.
The negotiated introduction of improved crew rest provisions on the A330 aircraft has prompted us to request privacy curtains on these aircraft. Air Canada has stated that this makes sense now that we have dedicated crew rest language. According to what we have been advised Air Canada is looking into this with the commercial aircraft team.
We communicated again that we have serious concerns about the B1 pass inequity and how the concept of “Winning as One” is not going to be achieved until each employee feels equally valued. We have had numerous members bring this to our attention and this continues to be a regular occurrence. Andrew and Nathalie have noted that this subject has arisen during many sessions they have had with members. They have assured us that they have provided each instance of feedback to senior executives.
As many of you are now aware, the Company has issued a bulletin on the B1 pass restructuring, and employee travel changes. This is found in your company email “upcoming Changes to Employee Travel Privileges”. Some key changes include:
- B1 passes will be removed from all management and AT&S employees effective September 1, 2023
- Effective immediately, all new employees must be employed for six months before travel privileges are granted.
- Listing rules for all A2/J, B1/J, C1/J travel passes will change effective September 1, 2023. A maximum of six people may be listed on a single PNR.
We are here to ensure your concerns acted upon. We are your voice and no matter how small, if it matters to you, it matters to us. We appreciate the concerns that are being brought direct to the Union, please continue to reach out.
In solidarity,
