Violence and Harassment Survey
We are excited to announce a new national survey on workplace violence and harassment.
It is the first ever survey on violence and sexual harassment in the workplace with a national reach in Canada, and will help unions, employers and policy makers create safer workplaces for everyone.
The survey is being conducted by the Canadian Labour Congress in partnership with research experts at Western University.
We need all workers to fill it out—workers of every gender, whether or not you have experienced or witnessed workplace violence or harassment. This is how we will get a clearer picture of workers’ experiences in workplaces across the country.
The survey is open to all workers 18 years of age or older. It takes approximately 10 to 30 minutes to complete, and your response will be anonymous.
The survey is online here. Your participation makes a difference.
Thanks for your help in making work safer for everyone.
In Solidarity,
Wesley Lesosky
President, Air Canada Component of CUPE
737 MAX – SD Wage Rate Grievance
In 2018, the Union filed policy grievance CHQ-18-20. This grievance was filed due to the fact that Air Canada declined the Union’s invitation to enter into discussions to bargain the Service Director wage rate for the Boeing 737 Max. The grievance proceeded to arbitration on Monday, March 29, 2021 with Chief Arbitrator William Kaplan.
In the Union’s opinion, when the Company introduces a new aircraft type during the term of the Collective Agreement, either party may open negotiations to set the wage rate for Service Directors as per Article 23.03 which reads as follows:
23.03 INTRODUCTION OF NEW AIRCRAFT
23.03.01 In the event that new aircraft types are introduced during the term of the Agreement, negotiations may be opened to resolve the wages and hours of work for such equipment.
The Union’s view on the above article is that the word “may” should be interpreted as “permissive and empowering” and that once negotiations were opened, both parties were required to make every effort to reach an agreement.
The Company’s view was that the parties were capable of determining whether the obligation to negotiate was mandatory or not. In their view the obligation to negotiate as outlined in Article 23.03.01 was not mandatory. They referenced the use of the word “shall” in L60.04.03 that was negotiated in 2015. This article states that: “In the event that new wide-body aircraft types are introduced during the term of this LOU, negotiations shall be opened to resolve the issues set out in Article 23.03.01”. The Company put forth arguments that by virtue of this language there was no mandatory requirement to negotiate the introduction of a new narrow-body aircraft.
Chief Arbitrator Kaplan provided his decision yesterday dismissing the grievance. He concluded that “…Article 23.03.01 is permissive. Either party can seek to bargain mid-term about wage rates on the introduction of new aircraft, but neither party is required to do so.” A full copy of his award can be accessed by clicking HERE.
The Union is disappointed in the outcome and put forth strong arguments on past practice among other things. One thing this decision will provide is an important interpretation of Article 23.03 and will guide us on how to address this article in future negotiations.
In solidarity,
Have you Registered for The Race to Unlock the Best in You?
Air Canada’s health and wellness program has launched a spring fitness challenge called The Race to Unlock the Best in You. The objective is encourage employees to adopt or re-affirm healthy habits through a fun 30-day challenge with prizes to be won along the way.
Here’s how it works.
For the month of April (all 30 days), you’ll complete and average of 30 minutes of activity, or 6,000 steps. Your steps can be will automatically be tracked via the app or you can manually enter 2000 steps on the app on the UBY website for every 10 minutes of activity you complete that day.
The first 800 employees to register for the race will automatically receive a UBY stress ball.
400 random employees who complete an average of 30 minutes of activity a day by April 8 will be entered into a draw to win UBY pens!
40 random employees who complete an average of 30 minutes of activity a day by April 15 will also be entered into a draw to win UBY infusion water bottles!
40 random employees who complete an average of 30 minutes of activity a day by April 22 will also be entered into a draw to win metal UBY water bottles!
20 random employees who complete the challenge will also be entered into a draw to win one of 20 earbuds!
Sign up today, challenge your colleagues and discover just what you’re capable of!
Click here for instructions on how to download the app and enter the race!
If you’re a little apprehensive about sharing any personal, health-related information with Air Canada, please don’t be. The UBY site and our App are run by independent third parties who only share information with Air Canada in aggregate—meaning they can only give us an overview of employees as a group, without any specifics. In fact, they cannot legally share any information with Air Canada that may easily identify you.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the UBY team at wellbeing.bien-etre@aircanada.ca.
EAP Webinar Series – April 2021
Supporting Mental Wellness through the Pandemic – A webinar series with Brian Dean Williams and Roxanne Dault
We are offering a series of talks to support members through the pandemic. Each webinar will be offered in both French and English separately, and both Brian and Roxanne will attend each to support members.
Roxanne Dault has been teaching meditation for the last 10 years. She has sat long silent retreats both in Asia and in the West. A guiding teacher at True North Insight in Canada and a teacher at Insight Meditation Society in the USA, she is also trained in Somatic Experiencing®, a body-mind approach aimed at relieving the symptoms of trauma. She speaks French, English and is learning her ancestors’ language, Anishinaabemowin. www.roxannedault.com
Brian Dean Williams is a registered clinical counsellor and mindfulness teacher. Brian worked for many years with marginalized people in the public system, and now has a private practice. In addition to offering therapy, Brian teaches internationally at conferences, workshops, and meditation retreats. www.briandeanwilliams.com
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Standing Together Against Depression and Anxiety
Thursday, April 15, 2021, 12 pm to 2 pm EDT – IN ENGLISH
Friday, April 16, 2021, 12 pm to 2 pm EDT – IN FRENCH
There is a maximum of 100 participants per session and the spots will be given out on a first come, first served basis.
During this pandemic, many of us are experiencing depression and anxiety. And yet, we also live in a time when people are very concerned, and taking such strong compassionate action, to protect people they have never met. In this interactive session, Brian will offer some insights, facilitated discussion, and video content, on the theme of Connection and how this can help us make it through the next phase of this pandemic. We are realizing increasingly the importance of connection as an antidote not only to loneliness, but a remedy for anxiety and depression. We will review some of the recent research on this theme. With so many circumstances pulling us away from each other, how can we rise together to meet the challenges of our time?
Learning goals:
- Increased understanding of what causes anxiety and depression
- Knowledge of effective treatments and strategies for coping
- Finding creative ways to foster connection in context of public health / social distancing measures
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The Credit Counselling Society Webinars
Together with The Credit Counselling Society, we are offering financial webinars for our members. All Credit Counselling Society sessions will use the CCS RingCentral system. Meeting links will be sent to those that register. Each webinar will be conducted in English and French. There will be 2 separate simultaneous sessions with the English to be conducted by Tim St. Vincent, and the French by Gary Rusyn.
Tim St. Vincent, CEPF, is the Credit Counselling Society’s Financial Educator for the GTA and surrounding area, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, and is based out of Winnipeg. Tim has over 25 years experience in Financial Services and is a retired Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Tim also taught the CFP program for several years, completed the Canadian Securities Course (Hons.), achieved his Certificate In Management (C.I.M.) Hons. and is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF). Tim believes strongly in the power of education, planning and acting on your plan.
Gary Rusyn, CEPF, is a financial educator for the Credit Counselling Society in Ottawa. With more than 15 years of experience in the financial sector, as well as secondary education in Montreal. Gary can communicate efficiently in both official languages.
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Making Cents of Money: Budgeting 101
Thursday, April 8, 2021 12:00 – 13:30 EDT
English and French, English to be conducted by Tim, French by Gary (2 separate, simultaneous sessions). There is a maximum of 200 participants per session and the spots will be given out on a first come, first served basis.
Participants will learn the 7 steps to budgeting which will help them take control of their finances and give them peace of mind.
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The Truth About Credit
Thursday, April 22, 2021, 12:00 – 13:30 EDT
English and French, English to be conducted by Tim, French by Gary (2 separate, simultaneous sessions). There is a maximum of 200 participants per session and the spots will be given out on a first come, first served basis.
Participants will learn about the myths around credit, the facts around credit reports, credit ratings, and credit scores alongside strategies on how to protect or repair their credit.
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Click on the following link to register for any of the webinars listed above:
https://forms.office.com/r/BErNu1LGmy
In Solidarity,
Mary Keough
Chair, Component EAP Committee