I am writing to you today with an update to a bulletin that was issued in August, advising that your union had filed a policy grievance, CHQ-20-13 – Wage Rate and Benefits for Members Recalled to Rouge (click HERE to view).
This grievance was filed in response to the employer’s plan to recall Cabin Personnel – Flight Attendants and Pursers/Service Directors – on layoff from Mainline to Air Canada Rouge’s operations. The Collective Agreement requires that these Cabin Personnel be provided with “their Air Canada Mainline wage rate with Air Canada Mainline benefits” while at Rouge (Article 17.04.02). The purpose of this provision was to ensure that Mainline Cabin Personnel wage rates were protected if they were recalled to Rouge.
The Employer has taken the position that Pursers/Service Directors recalled to Rouge will not be paid their Mainline wage rate and instead, will be paid the rate they would have been paid at Mainline had they been classified as a Flight Attendant. The Employer has taken the position that parking benefits will not be provided. This is not what the Parties negotiated and not what the Collective Agreement requires. It is also extremely punitive.
We have received confirmation that the hearing in this matter has been scheduled to take place on November 18, 2020. Your Union understands the importance of an expedited hearing on this, and were able to push this forward in such a manner.
In Solidarity,
Wesley Lesosky
President, Air Canada Component of CUPE