In April 2003, Air Canada entered into the Company Creditor’s Arrangement Act (CCAA – Bankruptcy Protection) and CUPE was forced to enter into concessionary negotiations with the Company. Initially, a 3.6% wage reduction and the elimination of night, language, and purser premiums was agreed to and the Collective Agreement was reprinted. The Union felt that it was important the membership remember how much we gave up, which is why the old pay rates still appear, although they are crossed out.
In 2004 the Company demanded more concessions, and the wages were reduced by a further 10%. A wage re-opener was negotiated to occur in 2006. The Joliffe Award was the outcome of this wage re-opener and resulted in a total pay increase of 5.5 % from 2006 to 2008.
All Air Canada CUPE employees are on this pay scale.
We will negotiate new pay rates when our contract expires in June 2009.
