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

A Message From The Council Of Unions – 2009 Share Trust Agreement Update #6

The Company recently advised the Council of Unions that the matter of the Share Trust, which is currently awaiting approval from the Minister of Finance, continues to be at a standstill. In an effort to move this matter forward, the Council of Unions wrote to Minister Freeland, emphasizing the pressing nature of this file, and the benefit that can be achieved if this initiative is moved forward. We will continue to update the membership as more information becomes available.

Click HERE to view the original bulletin.

In solidarity,
Charlene Hudy, MEC Chair, Air Canada Pilots, ALPA
Wesley Lesosky, Component President, Air Canada Component of CUPE & President, Airline Division of CUPE
Frances Galambosy, National Representative, UNIFOR
Dave Flowers, President & Directing General Chairperson District 140, IAMAW
Ken Yakiwchuk, Council Chair, Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA)

 

Day of Mourning

Please join us in a moment of silence to honour our CUPE colleagues who lost their lives at work in 2023, as well as the thousands of workers from all industries who suffered workplace injuries or deaths while on the job.

Jennifer Doucette, CUPE Local 1630, Manitoba
Steven Seekins, CUPE Local 374, British Columbia.

The National Day of Mourning began as a CUPE initiative, led by Safety Director Colin Lambert who had worked as a steelworker and miner. It was passed at the National Convention in 1985, and by the Canada Labour Congress in 1986. The goals were simple: raise awareness of workers killed or injured on the job. In doing so, we are encouraged to improve health and safety legislation, raise awareness of worker rights, and improve working conditions.

In 1991 a private members bill was passed in the House of Commons officially marking April 28th as a National Day of Mourning.

As workers in a safety-sensitive industry, we must never let our guard down. Never feel embarrassed, ashamed or afraid of asking questions or raising concerns. Workplace safety systems depend on this. It is our RIGHT and our RESPONSIBILITY.

As safety leaders, we regularly engage our colleagues in management on tough issues. We sometimes raise uncomfortable questions and challenge assumptions as well as established practices. Recognizing that excellence isn’t a finite goal but rather an ongoing journey is crucial to sustaining a culture of safety and continuous improvement in any organization.

You can learn more about the history of the National Day of Mourning and progress in workplace safety here:

CUPE Counterpoint article

CCOHS Day of Mourning page

Gate Gourmet Strike

In hearing your concerns, we have confirmed with the company the processes for various issues. We have also been informed that there is no intent to get workers to do jobs that are out-of-scope.

While it is often our natural tendency to do everything possible to lessen the impact of disruptions to our customers, for your health and safety, it’s important to continue to follow established processes. If there are any issues, please respectfully convey them to the manager meeting your flight or call STOC so that the appropriate personnel can be dispatched.

Our understanding is that many management personnel are currently taking on extended shifts to get product to aircraft. Just like us, they are coping with abnormal work.

Carts/Equipment on Bridges:
We have confirmed with the company that there is no expectation that crews move carts onto/ off of aircraft and that all IFS management team members are aware. In some cases, carts may be staged at the bottom of the bridge, but someone from the management team will board the materials.

If there are any issues, contact STOC so that an IFS management team member can meet the flight.

Food:
Members have reported going all shift without eating because there is no food for purchase onboard.

During the catering strike, we suggest packing snacks and meals to the greatest extent possible. While on a layover, consider your needs for the next day and make use of the hotel fridge. That being the case, if you find yourself unable to secure food before the day’s start due to pick up, customs or other factors, discuss with your crew and follow established protocols in your FAM, which prioritize nourishment for the crew to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.

Crew Water:
The company has confirmed that crew water should be boarded. If this isn’t the case, please call STOC. IFS has supplies throughout the terminal that can be brought to the aircraft.

Garbage Removal:
We have received concerns about garbage not being picked up or left on the bridge. The company advises they have worked hard to reach most aircraft proactively to retrieve refuse. If there is no management team member present to do this, please advise STOC as there is no expectation for the crew to engage in this activity.

Strikes function through the inconvenience they cause. In this case, we are directly impacted, and this may create undue stress and tension. Let’s remember our roles and that above all, respect is key to a safe workplace.

Please keep the Union advised by emailing contact@accomponent.ca. To address any issues with management, it is important to provide relevant details like FLT#, DATE, TIME, brief description.

Night Dinner/Special Dinner

Mainline Members Only

On February 6, 2024, the Union concluded a discussion with Air Canada management on the issue of the Night Dinner/Special Dinner allowance. It has been noted that these expenses were not showing on members pay statements automatically and/or were not being paid out at all unless they were claimed.  This came to our attention via a Yammer discussion between members and Company representatives.  The Company advised the members: “This issue had indeed been ongoing due to the current pay system’s limitations. A new Crew Pay System is in scope within the OPSMOD program to tackle these current pain points. Thank you for your continued patience and please do not hesitate to reach out if you still have any unresolved Special Dinner claims.”

After our conversation with Air Canada, they issued the following bulletin:

February 6, 2024

Crew cycle expenses for Night Dinner for all night flight pairings.

Dear Cabin Crew,

Effective January 2024 block month, payment for all night flight pairings (per CA. B8.18) will be added manually for Crew Cycle Expenses. All earning(s) related to Night Dinner will be allocated in one payment and listed on your paystub only. The description will note “Crew Cycle Exp-Adjmt” on your pay statement. This adjustment will remove the requirement to submit an eClaim for this specific flying period.

Please refer to your pairing package for more detailed information.

Thank you,
Your IFS Crew Pay team

We highly encourage all members to review their pay on a monthly basis, both hours and expenses, to ensure you are receiving your hard-earned monies.  Should you have to do this?  No.  However, we have seen as of late that there have been countless errors that have been reviewed with Air Canada, needing correction.

Please ensure you claim all Special Dinner/ Night Dinner allowances you have not claimed and were entitled to.  We expect there to be many members who have missed out on this. We want to assure you we will be in discussion with the Company on how to confirm that members who were not properly paid these allowances can rightfully claim them.

In addition to the meal expenses, we are still looking into the vacation clawbacks.  We will have more information once we receive a response from the Company.  We have had productive meetings with them, and they assured us they are tackling this in an efficient manner to ensure the back log of claims will be addressed.

Important! WIP Application Guidelines

Important Information Covered Below:

1) TIME LINES TO SEE MEDICAL PRACTIONER (WHO CAN SIGN)
2) CLAIMS 14 DAYS OR LESS , MAPLE APP
3) TIME LINE FOR SUBMISSION
4) LOA HOW IT EFFECTS COVERAGE
5) REDUCED BLOCKS AND WIP
6) RETURN TO PLAN AFTER EI SICK INS CARVE OUT
7) RECURRENENT ILLNESS 

– – –

1) 14 days to see a Medical Practitioner from the first flt missed
You must see a medical professional within 14 days of the day you first miss work to qualify for benefits commencing on the 8th day of your disability.

Your Medical Practitioner is only required to complete one of the applicable forms; physical health condition, or mental health condition in the WIP Application package unless you have both conditions.

Note that the following medical professionals you are seeking treatment from may sign the Medical Practitioner’s Questionnaire:

  • MD (any traditional medical doctor / family physician / specialist)
  • Nurse Practitioner

2) Claims 14 days or less
The following medical professionals: Dentists, Midwives, Chiropractors, used as first point of contact for Medical Treatment, may sign the for disabilities of a duration of 14 days or less. You must be under the care of a medical doctor after 14 days for continuation of coverage.

Have your medical professional clearly indicate the diagnosis, complications (if any), treatment, medication and all dates of visits.

When utilizing the Air Canada Maple app for an absence of 14 days or less, a Medical Practitioner’s Questionnaire is not required. Please obtain and submit a copy of the Medical Notes and Clinical Comments, available for you to download from within the Maple app, and submit with your other claim forms.

3) 30 days for a submission of an application from first day of work missed
You must submit proof of disability WITHIN 30 DAYS of your first day of work missed.

If you are submitting your claim late (after 30 days) please provide a written explanation regarding the delay. You may not be entitled to receive benefits for any period prior to the date Manion receives all required documentation unless you can show sufficient reason in writing as to why you could not meet the deadline.

4) 30 days to prepay for a LOA, from commencement of the LOA
Prepayment of premiums is required for an absence from the payroll of 16 or more calendar days. You must prepay the required premium in full within 30 days of the commencement of LOA in order to be eligible for benefit consideration following the end of the period.

If your leave of absence of 16 or more calendar days precedes your vacation and you have not prepaid the premium for that leave of absence, coverage will not be reinstated until you return to active work.

5) 30 Days to pay for RBP Reduced Block program
Members participating in the Reduced Block Program have the option to top-up their Wage Indemnity Plan (WIP) insurable earnings at a flat rate of 35 hours per month in the event that you become disabled during the RBP. This will ensure that the month following the conclusion of your RBP, if you continue to be disabled, your top-up would then take effect and your earnings would be calculated.

Book-off – March 2024 – earnings based on Dec 2023 / Jan 2024 / Feb 2024 flying pay.
Dec flying hours – 38
Jan flying hours – 36
Feb flying hours – 34

For the 3 months, December, January and February, your 3 months average flying hours would be equal to 36 hours. You would be paid 36 hours through to the termination of your RBP in 2024, inclusive as long as you continue to meet the definition of totally disabled from your own occupation as a Flight Attendant. If you remain disabled and continue to qualify for benefits beyond the termination of the RBP, and if you opted to top-up, based on the calculation below, your disability payments would go from 36 hours to 71 hours per month.

The top-up for the RBP is 35 hours, and is based on your hourly rate x 3.8 % plus the Employer’s cost of 1.07% as well as applicable taxes.

6) 30 Days from the end of EI carve out period
30 days to provide proof of disability from the termination of your disability benefits under the Employment Insurance act of Canada in order to reinstate your claim und the Wage Indemnity plan.

7) 30 days from the Recurrence of a Disability
If you return to active work on a full-time basis following a period of total disability for which benefits were payable and, within 31 days, again become totally disabled due to the same causes, you will be considered to have been continuously disabled for the purposes of the elimination period. If the subsequent disability is due to entirely different causes and separated by less than one full day during which you are actively at work, you will be considered to have been continuously disabled for the purposes of the elimination period.

If you have questions on the Wage Indemnity Plan please contact me at eberleywip@accomponent.ca.

On Behalf of The Board of Trust,

Patricia Eberley
Administrative Consultant