The employer advised us that effective immediately all crew members arriving at the Hong Kong International Airport will be required to go through mandatory “deep throat saliva” testing.  The testing will be conducted for early detection of COVID-19 cases and to prevent local transmission.

The process is outlined below:

1. Upon passing the Port Health station, you will be issued a Notification of Medical Examination/Test.

2. Go to the coach loading area at Cheong Tat Road. Take the designated shuttle bus for crew members to the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE).

• As you are exempt from compulsory quarantine, you will be on a designated shuttle bus for crew members, different from other travellers. Please follow the instructions of the on-site staff for getting onto the appropriate shuttle.

3. Go to the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre (TSCC) at AWE (designated area for crew members) to complete COVID-19 testing.

• You will be required to provide a telephone number where Hong Kong Department of Health staff may contact you regarding your test results.
• Note: this is a deep throat saliva specimen swab test.

4. After the test, you may leave the TSCC and go to the crew hotel. Proceed to the loading dock car park area in West Hall where a driver from Cherry Holidays Coach Co. Ltd. Will meet you and transport you to the crew hotel. This ground transportation is provided by Air Canada.

• You are not required to self-isolate at the crew hotel while your test results are pending.
• Note: the process from clearing customs to completing the COVID-19 test at the AsiaWorld-Expo takes approximately 90 to 120 minutes.

5. You do not need to wait for your test results at the TSCC.

• It takes 20 to 72 hours to confirm the test results.
• If your test result is positive, a Hong Kong Department of Health staff member will contact you at the number you provided.
  1. If you are in Hong Kong at the time of the telephone call, arrangements will be made for you to go to Princess Margaret Hospital or Lantau Hospital and quarantine there for 14 days.
  2. If you are in Canada when you receive the telephone call from Hong Kong Department of Health staff, you will need to quarantine for 14 days in Canada and contact the Public Health Agency of Canada to ensure proper measures are taken.
• If your test result is negative, you will not be contacted at all by Hong Kong Department of Health.

6. You will be required to follow the mandatory COVID-19 testing process every time you operate to HKG.

7. As per Hong Kong Health Authorities, failure to comply to the testing requirement is an offence and will be liable to a fine and imprisonment.

There are many questions that have come up with regards to this, and as it can affect any member, we wanted to ensure we encompassed as much information as possible and send it out immediately.

If a BLOCKHOLDER does not want to risk going to Hong Kong – HKG, can they decline to go?
If a block holder does not want to operate their HKG pairing due to COVID testing on arrival, Air Canada will show you as unavailable no fault (CODE 519). You can then make up the hours the same day or any other day. Your MMG (Minimum Monthly Guarantee) is waived and you will get paid what you fly for the block month.

If a RESERVE does not want to risk going to Hong Kong – HKG, can they decline to go?
Reserve members will revert back to reserve status, with no MMG reduction.  Just advise the crew scheduler you are not comfortable to go, and they will not place you onto the assignment.

Will there be a change in Ground Transportation and Hotel in Hong Kong?
Upon arrival, crew will be transported to Asia World Expo (AWE) COVID testing facility.  The driver will then meet crew members at the loading dock in car park area, West Hall approximately 1 hour 30 minutes after flight arrival.  Pick-up is 1 hour and 40 minutes prior to flight departure.
As there is a Hotel Change, please check your Pairing to reflect the new hotel location and name.  Please note that you are required to wear face masks in all public areas of the hotel.

Will I be paid for having to do the mandatory testing?
The Company has advised: As it is an entry requirement for the country, you will not be paid for the testing.

Will the Union/Company be advised of the result if you test positive?
If a member tests positive, the Company may not be advised immediately by the testing facility.  Please ensure you reach out to Crew Scheduling and the Hong Kong Station Manager to advise you tested positive, we also request you contact the Union so we can ensure your credits are monitored, along with being able to offer any support required.

If someone on your crew tests positive, how will the rest of the crew that came in contact be treated?
If you do not receive a call from a Hong Kong Department of Health staff member, you will be able to operate back to your destination. Public Health determines who requires follow-up and quarantine. Once you have returned to your base, someone from IFS Management will contact you and discuss the next steps. As always, please follow all basic guidelines regarding social distancing and protective equipment while on layover such as the wearing of masks and avoiding crowded places.  In the event you are quarantined in Hong Kong please contact Crew Scheduling to advise and IFS Management will follow up with you directly. IFS Management, Crew Scheduling, and OHS will coordinate all efforts to ensure your safety while in quarantine.

If a crew member tests positive what happens?
If a crew member tests positive, they will Immediately be sent to the hospital and will be held there for 14 days.  In the event you are quarantined in Hong Kong please contact Crew Scheduling to advise and IFS Management will follow up with you directly. IFS Management, Crew Scheduling, and OHS will coordinate all efforts to ensure your safety while in quarantine.

As a reminder, please continue to practice good personal and hand hygiene, maintain social distancing, and wear your mask or face covering in public areas.

As this is a new process and may change, we will ensure to update you as more information becomes available.  We understand that these are trying times, if you have further questions, please contact your Base Management team.

In solidarity,

As many of you are navigating the EI/CERB route we wanted to update you on a few items.

Where is my Record of Employment (ROE)?
If you are a MAINLINE employee, your ROE will be submitted to Service Canada electronically on July 13, 2020.  Your final pay will be July 17, 2020.

If you are a ROUGE employee, your ROE will be submitted to Service Canada on July 17, 2020.  Your final pay will be July 17, 2020.

I have money owed to me from the Deferred Salary Program (DSP), when will I have my money?
The June block month will close off July 10^th, after that time, the company will be able to start working on the DSP payments.

I have questions regarding EI application, CERB and my eligibility, where do I go?
If you follow the link below, you will be directed to Service Canada:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-regular-benefit.html

eClaims – Update
The Union has been advised that the company is working through a large back log of eClaims.  Approximately 1075 will be process for an off cycle payment tomorrow and the remaining will be done later this month, once completed. 

We understand many of you have reached out in regards to losing access to Yammer to ask questions, please know you can still reach out to your Union and we will work to get you the answers you require to make this transition as smooth as possible.  We recognize the difficulties and challenges you are all facing, and please know we are here to assist.  We also wish to remind you that EAP services are still available to all active employees.  These services are also available to all inactive employees, Mainline and Rouge, until December 31, 2020, please reach out as needed.

We will keep you posted on anything further that comes up that will assist you as needed.

In solidarity,

As the week has progressed quickly, we wanted to send a quick update.

Recalls
For our members that have been, or are in the process of being, recalled we want to remind you that if you are on a leave of any sort, i.e.: WIP, Maternity, etc., you are still required to accept the recall notice that you have received.  This does NOT interfere with any approved leaves; this just puts you back “online” for when you are prepared to come back and secures your position.

Air Canada Component Executive Meeting
Your executive board, consisting of the Component Officers and each Local Base President, has been meeting virtually multiple times a week, over the last few months.  We have been able to maintain a more unified and aligned position on various Collective Agreement items and policy issues facing each of you.  We have also just finished our regular ACCEX meeting completely virtually.  Although it has its challenges not being face to face, or being able to present “paper copies” of items, we felt it was imperative to continue to ensure regular business, budget items and local issues were being reviewed and addressed.  Each Local, including our Rouge Local, is represented at the table and has an important voice.  We encourage all members to continue to reach out to your Union with any issues, concerns, or questions.  This is how we will remain strong, unified and continue to push issues forward that are important to each of you.

2020-21 Component Budget
During our executive meeting, this week we passed a 6-month budget for the new fiscal year instead of the traditional 12-month budget, as it was difficult to estimate when we will return to larger active memberships. More information to come next week in the Component Secretary-Treasurer’s Update.

Recall Number for August
Many members have been reaching out with regards to recalls for August and into the fall.  The Union has not been advised of recalls or numbers going forward.  As with all information we have, we will ensure you are notified when we are.

Opting Out of Paper Mailings
In 2018, changes were made to the Air Canada Component Bylaws allowing members to opt-out of receiving physical mailings during elections and to receive communication electronically, solely via email.  Your Component Officers will be issuing further information on this next week, stay tuned!

In solidarity,