Happy New Year to everyone! 2025 will be an amazing year for us all and we look forward to what this year has in store. In the interim, we wanted to provide an update on a few items of interest.
Your sick bank has been topped up
If you are active for the January block month, you should see that 12 sick days have been added to your bank. If you return from leave or start employment later during the calendar year, you will be awarded one sick day for every full block month you operate as an active crew member. The maximum number you can have in your bank is 125 + the 12 new for the year, so 137 is the max you would have available to you.
If you are a block holder, your book off starts at the time of your first missed flight, so even if you book off the night before, you will not lose an extra sick day.
If you are on a reserve day, your book off starts at the time of the call. If you are on reserve for tomorrow and you call the night before, your sick bank begins at 00:01.
A sick day is deducted for every 24 hours period or part thereof. Whether you book off for 6 hours or 23h59, you are still deducted at least one full sick day every time you book off.
Travel While Booked off Process has changed
If you want to use passes or fly while booked off, the company has implemented a new process and you are now required to get approval from Disability Management and/or Occupational Health, even if you are a commuter. Check ePub and the travel website for the forms and procedures. If you have concerns or problems with travel, please reach out to your Local Union office for assistance. The Union is closely monitoring these changes.
Base Transfer
Please remember that the base transfer list is cleared at the end of each calendar year as per Article 18 of our Collective Agreement. If you are still waiting for a transfer, you will need to re-list your name on the transfer list. This is applicable to Air Canada Mainline cabin crew only.
Travel Pass Benefits Refreshed
The annual pass refresh will take place during the weekend of January 11, 2025. This means your travel profiles will be updated with your 2025 travel pass privilege allotments on January 12, 2025. Any trips flown, ending before January 11, 2025, will be deducted from your 2024 allotment. Any trips flown, ending after January 11, 2025, will be deducted from your 2025 pass privilege allotment.
T4 Reissuance
Some members are receiving emails with amended T4’s from previous years. This may impact their tax filing for the respective years. We have reached out to the company to ask what has happened and why this is only being discovered now.
We were advised that the taxable benefit and/or the tax relief for shine and Aeroplan in 2021/2022 was not reflected correctly on the respective tax slips. The amendments were performed for anyone who redeemed shine/Aeroplan in 2021/2022. If you have any specific questions please reach out to people.employes@aircanada.ca and cc: pay@accomponent.ca. We completely understand the confusion around this. Unfortunately, there was no advance notice of this given to the Union, so we were not able to assist at the onset with the many questions that have come in. As many retirees have reached out as well, we strongly advise you to follow up directly with the company, and cc the Union so we can assist if required.
Drug and Alcohol Testing
You may be asked by the employer to test for any intoxicating substance(s). The employer can ask you to test if it has reasonable cause to suspect that you are impaired at work.
Though such a situation is rare, the Union has noticed an increase in the number of instances in which Members are being asked to undergo this testing. We are seeing a lot of ‘internal’ reporting that results in testing and negative results.
If you are asked to test, you have rights:
- You have the right to know why you are being asked to test so that you can decide whether to test or not.
- You have the right to know what (i.e. which substances) and how (i.e. saliva, blood, etc.) you are being asked to test before you consent to the test.
- If you consent to the test, you have a right to a copy of the documentation you sign with the tester (usually OHS).
- You have the right to request Union representation. The Union is a non-judgmental and experienced representative available to assist you, regardless of the circumstances.
- You will usually be asked to meet with management following the test. You have the right to details and documentation relating to the alleged misdemeanor and your related performance.
Please contact your Local Union representatives if you have any questions.
Educational Bargaining Podcast for the Membership
Please be sure to check out the link below for the Union “Flight Plan” podcast, there will be further episodes to come:
Flight Plan Podcast – Ep. 1: The Bargaining Process
Whenever we bargain there are questions. We want to make sure we can answer them throughout the bargaining process. The first episode is all about bargaining and what to expect from the process. We are launching this podcast so our members can get the latest on the bargaining process and the Unfair Canada campaign. In each episode we will dive into different important topics and answer questions from members like you.
Media Coverage
The Union is often contacted by the media concerning the issues we are facing at the time. As we are currently in bargaining, we thought it would be helpful to share some of the stories we feel have highlighted our cause and issues. Below is a link to the most recent articles:
PAX – “We’re at a breaking point”: AC flight attendants set stage for negotiations – January 8, 2025
Air Canada flight attendants could be poised to strike next – January 7, 2025
Time to end the unpaid work in Canada’s airline sector – December 21, 2024
Air Canada flight attendants fight back against unpaid work – December 17, 2024
Bargaining
Your Bargaining Committee will be in meetings with the employer this week and next week and will provide an update once we have concluded our meetings.
Bargaining Survey #3
The Bargaining Committee will soon send out the next survey, focusing on three key areas: Rest Time, Health & Safety, and Monetary Compensation. Your feedback is essential to help us better understand your needs and experiences. Please complete the survey at your earliest convenience. The link you receive will be valid for one use only, so please do not share it with others. The survey will close on January 21, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST. Thank you for your valuable input!
Please remember to wear your Union pin and baggage tag and reach out to your Local Union office as needed, your Union remains available throughout this process.
In solidarity,
