The Union grieved the employer’s failure to pay members for the time they spent to complete the Leading Edge Workbook prior to their ART training.  The Union took the position that both the Collective Agreement and the Canada Labour Code required renumeration.  The Company took the position that it had been a long-standing practice for Cabin Personnel to complete the workbook without pay and further, that the Union was estopped from requiring payment.

The grievance was scheduled for arbitration on September 17, 2021.

The parties reached an agreement with the assistance of Chief Arbitrator Kaplan.  Going forward, Air Canada will pay employees for completion of the Leading Edge Workbook in the same manner as online training is paid (6.04.01.01). This agreement commences with the October Block Month.

Employees should be paid for their work.  We are very grateful to members who brought forward this important issue and are pleased it has been addressed.

The Union also raised a concern relating to the Prepare For Take-Off Workbook for SPIN training participants.  The Company has confirmed that it is not mandatory for the Cabin Personnel attending SPIN training to review the Prepare For Take-Off Workbook or answer any questions prior to training. This will be communicated in the SPIN Information Guide going forward.

In solidarity,

On the 20th anniversary of a momentous time in the airline industry we believe that it is crucial to reflect on this day and the profound impact it has had on so many. There were families who lost loves ones and this horrific act caused us to be faced with a very harsh reality.  The impact of this day lives on in us all.  We must remember that complacency is not our friend and that our vigilance will always be required. The job of flight attendant is one in which we wear many hats.  It is an honourable profession and one which bears the weight of many inflight challenges. We are all a little wiser with each passing day and honour those that have come before.

We are certain that those of you who were old enough to remember, can remember exactly where you were and what you were doing on that day.  It is our belief that on this anniversary we can take time to remember and to hug those close to us a little tighter and to vow to never forget those who sacrificed so much and lost so much on that day.

In solidarity,

The Union would like to advise that we have reached a settlement for the recently filed grievance regarding the Company’s violation of our block rules at the end of the August 2021 block month. To see a copy of grievance CHQ-21-18 click HERE.

The general terms of the settlement are as follows:

• The Company will apply a 50% premium to flights that had managers assigned to them during the full August 2021 block month;
• The company will retroactively provide a 100% premium for Voluntary Extension for the entire August 2021 block month. Those that did VE flying at the start of the August 2021 block month will now also receive this 100% premium;
• The Company will also pay $100.00 per Cabin Personnel who operated a B5 domestic or overseas widebody flight leg that was short crewed during the August 2021 block month.

A full copy of the MOS can be accessed HERE. Unfortunately these changes were not finalized prior to the payroll extract, so will not be included on your August block pay and instead will be included on your October 17, 2021 paycheque.
The Union will continue to monitor drafting and short crewing occurrences and has already seen considerable improvements since the start of the September block month. We are also happy to see a steady stream of recalls continuing over the past few weeks and are very hopeful that the staffing shortages of last month are not repeated.

We continue to appreciate the reports coming in so that we may continue to address the realities you are facing with short crewing, drafting, and health and safety concerns.

In solidarity,