Bargaining Update

Your Bargaining Committee met last week with Air Canada and Arbitrator Vince Ready as a part of the mediation process outlined in the MOA in our Collective Agreement found HERE.  We felt that progress was being made and were fully prepared with our proposals and intentions to further the interests of the membership.

Our members have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and have been bearing the weight of this unprecedented roller coaster ride of uncertainty filled with disruptive passengers, service changes, and countless challenges. We felt strongly that this was an opportunity to work with Air Canada to find common ground and this could include additional gains for the membership. An agreement has not been reached however the parties will continue to communicate in an ongoing effort to reach one.

Should an agreement not be possible the next step of the re-opener process is to move forward to interest-based arbitration. This arbitration will take place under the strict confines of the 10-year framework MOA which limits which types of proposals can move forward to arbitration. In addition, the arbitrator cannot issue an award that would increase the total cost to Air Canada Mainline or Air Canada Rouge, except for certain items at Air Canada Rouge which could result in cost increases.

Despite these new challenges we remain steadfast, determined, and fully committed to this process. Your committee is working together as a harmonious and supportive group, and we feel that this cohesion is unprecedented.  Our promise is that we will not rest until we are assured that we have shown strength and demanded mutual respect through this process. As soon as we have a clear update on timelines for next steps, we will provide more information.

In solidarity,

Your ACCEX

Bargaining Reopener Resumption

As you may recall just prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Union was set to commence the mediation stage of our 2019 Reopener as outlined in the 10-year Collective Agreement MOA.  This process was triggered as a result of the parties’ inability to reach a tentative agreement.  There was a (90) day period of direct bargaining with Air Canada as is required but no agreement was forthcoming and therefore mediation was necessary. The Union and the Company both agreed at that time to postpone the mediation stage, so that we could deal with the immediate impacts of COVID-19 on our membership.

We are now in the process of resuming the mediation stage and will be meeting with Arbitrator Vince Ready next week for some preliminary discussions to see where the parties are at. We have also secured dates for mediation the week of November 7th and will book more dates as required. If the parties are unable to reach a mediated tentative agreement, then either party may refer a maximum of 10 items in dispute to interest arbitration.

We also wish to remind members that if interest arbitration takes place, there is a requirement for cost neutrality for Air Canada Mainline and Air Canada Rouge, except for certain items which could result in an increase in cost for Air Canada Rouge.  Please review the MOA which can be found in the front pages of the Collective Agreement, or by clicking HERE, for more information on the reopener process and limitation.

Your Bargaining Committee is fully committed to achieve some gains despite the restrictions of the language. We will update the membership again following our first week of mediation in November.

In solidarity,

Your ACCEX

Bargaining Update

Your ACCEX has concluded the ninety (90) day period of direct bargaining with Air Canada. Unfortunately, an agreement could not be reached at this stage.

We now head into the mediation phase of the 2019 reopener to see if a mediator/arbitrator will be able to bridge the gap between the Company and Union. We are hopeful that with the assistance of a third party we will be able to achieve more for our members.

We thank you for your continued support.

In solidarity,

Bargaining Update

The Air Canada Component of CUPE Bargaining Committee has met with Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge multiple times since bargaining talks officially opened on September 9, 2019. Discussions so far have been relatively positive. On our last day of bargaining last week, we presented our Rouge package to the Company.

CUPE and Air Canada / Air Canada Rouge have scheduled additional bargaining dates in Toronto as follows this month:

  • October 15-18, 2019
  • October 21-24, 2019

At this time, there is no additional information available pertaining to negotiations that we can share. We would like to thank the membership for their continued support and reaching out to share comments. We relied on your survey results and the comments originally submitted to build the bargaining package we have presented. Any further proposal suggestions are being compiled and will be reviewed for future bargaining.

In solidarity,

First Week Of Bargaining

This week, the first official meetings between the Union and the Company in this round of bargaining with Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge are taking place.

The Union and the employer have presented their opening statements and sought clarity where needed. We are fully prepared for this process and our goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for each of you.  We are your voice at the table.

In solidarity,