Many of you have been reaching out with the recent announcement made by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge regarding massive decreases in our immediate flying schedule.  We have just concluded a call with Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, and shortly after with ACCEX, and wanted to advise you of the following:

The Company has advised that it was their intention to invoke L60.06 of the Collective Agreement. This is an invocation of the Force Majeure clause.

As you know we have received word from Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge that they will be only maintaining limited international service to 6 destinations.  This is subject to change. Transborder flights will be reduced to 13 destinations.  The company will also continue to provide service to all provinces however it will be reduced and subject to further reductions.

There will be an overall reduction in capacity of at least 80% in April 2020.

There will also be reductions in capacity for May onward and as soon as we receive information about them, we will keep everyone informed.

The approximate Mainline surplus for the month of April is 3,600 members and Rouge will have all members, 1,549 deemed surplus.   Rouge will in effect have zero flying hours for the month of April 2020.

The Company will commence the process of calling members and placing them on “Off Duty Status” as early as within the next 48 hours as outlined in LOU 6.  Off Duty Status allows you to collect employment insurance and maintain benefits, along with travel benefits.  The Union’s position is that this option should be offered to all members as we have heard from many senior members that they would like to voluntarily take this option.  The company will allow the opportunity for members to volunteer for Off Duty Status.  More information will come out from the company on this.

The Union has also sought clarity for those of you on SPLOAs in reference to you being able to collect Employment Insurance, maintain benefits and flight benefits.  We have confirmed with the employer that those of you on SPLOAs for April 2020 will be converted to Off Duty Status enabling you to collect Employment Insurance.

As of May 2020, Article 17 of the Collective Agreement will apply and the Union has proposed that we commence discussions within the immediate future regarding mitigation options.  Please reference Article 17 of the Collective Agreement and LOU 60.05. This outlines the process that we believe will be taking place for the May 2020 block month onwards. As per L60.05.03.04, the Union has provided a list of all mitigation options we would like to have them review. We have captured all mitigation suggestions that the members have brought forward to date.  Thank you for providing them as we know it is important for many reasons.

We will keep you informed when new information comes to us and appreciate this causes many concerns and further uncertainty.  We have many questions for the employer, and have sought much clarification, and commit that as we know, you will be advised.

Air Canada will be sending out all information through Air Canada email.  Please ensure you have activated your Air Canada email; you can find the instructions on how to do this by going onto ACaeronet.

This is unprecedented, and not something any of us want to go through.  The reality is real, and we are working around the clock ensuring you are represented.
In Solidarity,

We want to start this bulletin by saying “THANK YOU”.  Thank you for remaining professional even though we have had nothing but mixed messaging from the Federal Government, Provincial Governments, and the Company.

To give everyone the impression that it is business as usual, and then go one step further and state in a message to crews:

“Following discussions with government authorities, we can confirm these conditions do not apply to you as operating, deadheading or commuting cabin crew.”

This is alarming.  Are we superhuman?  Are we not equal to those we serve in regard to being able to come to work and expect a healthy and safe environment?  Are we not susceptible to a virus that by all reports is running rampant?  Why are we having to be stuck in customs dealing with the “I thought I was exempt?”

Furthermore, it goes on to say:

“You’re exempted given you’re well trained and prepared to protect yourselves, spend less times in the countries being visited, and have access to and use protective measures on board including hand sanitizers, masks and gloves when and as appropriate.”

We respectfully disagree. We are not trained for a pandemic of this magnitude.  We are fully trained in first aid, safety and security measures, and our day to day duties. Those things we do, and fully excel at.  We do not have the correct masks that assist in this scenario.  Hand sanitizer is not a cure for regular handwashing when we don’t have running water.  How was an exemption given when this line is not factual?  We have crew centres that are out of gloves, masks, and hand sanitizer. It is incomprehensible how we are left to our own devices and are going to have to make the best of this situation.  We are tired of having to make the best of a situation.  In these unprecedented circumstances we believe that this approach is irresponsible.

This is messaging that goes to far, it is quite frankly a slap in the face at this time.  We need to be equipped to do our job. We need to have proper provisions of supplies.  We need running water on ALL flights, domestic or international and more importantly we need managers in crew centres hourly to address our concerns in an immediate fashion.  Where are the Company representatives when we are told that we are all in this together? Unfortunately it does not feel that way.

This is a pandemic, this is not a regular occurrence, this is happening NOW. We are the front line workers of this airline, we are proud employees of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge. We want action and we want answers.

We will continue to lobby the Government, demand meetings and move forward with the facts.

In solidarity,

As you may have seen by now, Arielle’s weekly message to the Company’s employees has come out and there is some information in it we feel should be shared.

In synopsis, the industry is very impacted by COVID-19 and the ever-expanding travel restrictions. There has been a decline in air travel as businesses and individuals reconsider non-essential travel. This will likely not come as any surprise to you, as our members have been working on the front lines and are acutely aware of the situation.    We want to let you know that we have received numerous emails and calls from our members about this situation.   We have sent out numerous bulletins in our efforts to keep you informed and will continue to do so.  We remind you that if you need support during this time that EAP is available for you.

Your Union is well aware of the issues you are facing and the uncertainty you may be feeling. Some positive takeaways from today’s communication are that at the current time Air Canada has no plans for large-scale layoffs. Arielle also confirmed that the 2019 profit sharing payment will still be paid-out as planned.

In-Flight Service also put out a bulletin today thanking you “for continuing to report for your flights as usual unless we specifically advise you otherwise.” This does not address the issue of staying home when sick, nor does it recognize proactive reassignment or the Right to Refuse Dangerous Work. As such we would like to remind our members to book-off sick if you are feeling unwell. If you are uncomfortable with flying to a certain destination you should reach out to Crew Scheduling or Base Management and discuss your options. Please also copy in your Local if you experience any issues.

In closing, we would like to say that the Union is very proud that our members continue to carry out their duties with courage, dedication, determination  and the utmost professionalism.  We promise you that we will demonstrate those same qualities in all of our dealings with the Company and the government, and ensure that your concerns have a voice.

In addition, there will be an additional opportunity to request a Special Leave of Absence (SPLOA) for the April 2020 block month. If you didn’t previously bid for one and are interested, please reach out to Crew Scheduling.  If you have any issues, please do not hesitate to reach out.

We ask you to always remember that your EAP Committee is here for you. They can be reached at (905)676-2088 and (604)270-5703.  Should you wish to contact Homewood Health directly, please call 1(800)663-1142 (English) or 1(866)398-9505 (French).

In Solidarity,

Coronavirus, Staffing and Bidding

We completely understand that with the influx of information and restrictions being reported in the media related to Covid-19 (Coronavirus) it can be overwhelming and that you may be feeling very anxious at this time. We have been in constant communication with the Company this week but have very limited information at this time related to overall staffing concerns continually being raised. We want to let you know that as soon as we are consulted with any new information, we will be advising the membership immediately.

There is no denying that at Mainline the April 2020 block hours are lower than previous years. This will likely result in high numbers of reserve cabin crew, so please be mindful to back up your April 2020 bid with a reserve bid. Please reach out to your Local PBS Committees if you need assistance with this.

Flow Through Postponed
(Rouge to Mainline)

We realize that this situation evolves by the minute and has unintended or unknown ripple effects.  We continue to follow up on each one of them. The moment we have factual news to share, trust that we will.

In solidarity,