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

Boeing 737-8 (MAX) Update

You may have read media reports yesterday about the FAA approving the 737-8 (MAX) for a return to service.

Please know that your union leadership remains in contact with Transport Canada (TC) and the airline regarding this issue.

As recently as this Tuesday, TC officials re-affirmed a commitment to fully brief your CUPE leadership whenever a Canadian decision is made regarding this aircraft. TC has advised that it has been and continues to conduct its own fully independent review of the MAX and will only issue a go-ahead for return to service once its process is complete.

The TC press release is as follows:

Statement by Minister Garneau on Federal Aviation Administration’s certification of changes to the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft 

From: Transport Canada

Statement

November 18, 2020       Ottawa, Ontario       Transport Canada

“Our government remains committed to keeping Canadians, the travelling public, and the transportation system safe and secure.

“We acknowledge that the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released an Airworthiness Directive for the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Through this directive, the FAA is mandating its approved changes made to the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, and confirms it can return to service in U.S. airspace.

“Transport Canada has worked extensively with the FAA and other key certifying authorities, including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil (ANAC), as well as the three Canadian operators of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, and their pilot unions throughout the validation process of the aircraft to address all factors necessary toward a safe return to service of the aircraft.

“Transport Canada safety experts continue their independent validation process to determine whether to approve the proposed changes to the aircraft. We expect this process to conclude very soon. However, there will be differences between what the FAA has approved today, and what Canada will require for its operators. These differences will include additional procedures on the flight deck and pre-flight, as well as differences in training.

“The commercial flight restrictions for the operation of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in Canadian airspace remain in effect and will not be lifted until the department is fully satisfied that all its safety concerns have been addressed, and that enhanced flight crew procedures and training are in place in Canada.”

https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/11/statement-by-minister-garneau-on-federal-aviation-administrations-certification-of-changes-to-the-boeing-737-max-aircraft.html

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We will keep you posted with any information as it becomes available.

In solidarity,

Policy Grievance – Wage Rate and Benefits for Members Recalled to Rouge – MEDIATION UPDATE

I am writing to you today with an update on policy grievance CHQ-20-13 – Wage Rate and Benefits for Members Recalled to Rouge (click HERE to view).

As a reminder, the grievance was filed in response to the employer’s plan to recall Cabin Personnel – Flight Attendants and Pursers/Service Directors – on layoff from Mainline to Air Canada Rouge’s operations.   The Collective Agreement requires that these Cabin Personnel be provided with “their Air Canada Mainline wage rate with Air Canada Mainline benefits” while at Rouge (Article 17.04.02).  The purpose of this provision was to ensure that Mainline Cabin Personnel wage rates were protected if they were recalled to Rouge.

The grievance proceeded to mediation today before Chief Arbitrator Kaplan. Your entire ACCEX was present at 9am to open discussion. There were signification discussions with the Arbitrator and unfortunately at this time a settlement has not been reached.  The Union anticipates scheduling further date(s) to address the grievance and will keep you updated.

In Solidarity,

Wesley Lesosky
President, Air Canada Component of CUPE

Candidates for the Upcoming Air Canada Component Elections – 2021

Air Canada Component President

Wesley Lesosky (acclaimed)

Air Canada Component Vice-President

 Theresa Mitchell (acclaimed)

Air Canada Component Secretary-Treasurer

 Alex Habib
Kamal Touffaha

Air Canada Component Trustee

 Marc Roumy (acclaimed)

 

As the campaigning process begins, we ask that everyone click HERE to review the Election Guidelines.  These guidelines pertain not only to the candidates, but to the entire membership.

Also, a reminder to all candidates that your resume must be submitted, electronically, to the Tabulating Committee at tabulating@accomponent.ca, no later than December 1, 2020 at 16:00 EST.

In Solidarity,

Your Component Tabulating Committee

Recall Update – November 13, 2020

Below please see the weekly update on recalls.  There have been no new recall notices since our last update.

YMQ – 30 Rouge Montreal Recalls

There have been four batches of recall notices. In total so far 29 members have accepted.

The first batch of 100 notices sent last month had four members accept.  These notices were sent to seniority 18215 to 18850. The deadline for acceptance and decline has now passed.

The second batch of 150 notices sent late last month had fifteen members accept.  These notices were sent to seniority 18855 to 19760. The deadline for acceptance and decline has now passed.

The third batch of 50 notices sent last week had nine members accept. These notices were sent to seniority 19765 to 20050. The deadline for acceptance and decline has now passed.

The fourth batch of 25 notices went out last week had one member accept.  These notices were sent to seniority 20065 to 20215. The deadline for acceptance has now passed.   The deadline to decline your recall and remain on the seniority list is November 18, 2020.

YTO – Rouge Toronto Recalls

At this time there are no recalls in process for the Rouge Toronto base.

Air Canada Mainline Recalls

At this time there are no recalls in process for any mainline bases.

Updated Seniority List for Recall Purposes and Retirement Numbers

As mentioned last week, your Union has updated the seniority list with the information provided by Air Canada and attached a link to it below. As we cannot publish this privately, we have removed names and employee numbers, so it is purely based on your current 2020 Master Cabin Personnel Seniority number.

***Please note there may be errors or omissions, if you are aware of any please contact your union. You will also note that those members on leaves but senior enough to avoid layoff will be coded as Active***

Click HERE for an Updated Seniority List as of the November Block Month.

Retirements 

In addition, please see below the current retirement numbers for 2020, you can also view an update on retirement numbers by clicking HERE. We have included a chart for 2019 following multiple requests for comparative data.

In solidarity,