We are writing to update you on the federal government’s ongoing probe into unpaid work in the airline industry. While this process was meant to bring clarity and accountability, your union has serious concerns about how the investigation is being carried out.
1. Airlines allowed to “self-audit”
The federal government is permitting airlines to conduct their own minimum-wage compliance self-audits, with no requirement for union participation. This is like asking drivers to report themselves for speeding – it will seriously undermine confidence in the results.
2. No clear airline-specific definition of work or wages
There is still no agreed-upon definition of what constitutes “hours of work” in aviation. This allows airlines to decide for themselves which duty hours are covered by wages, leaving the door open to continued unpaid work.
3. Key high-stress months excluded from the audit period
The audit timeline will run from May 2025 to January 2026, largely avoiding peak winter travel months – including February, March, and April – when spring break travel, storms, delays, and operational disruptions are at their highest. These are precisely the conditions where unpaid work pressures intensify.
4. Extremely small and unrepresentative samples
Airlines with workforces as large as 10,500 flight attendants may audit as few as 40 employees. We have written to the federal government that this is methodologically flawed and will produce skewed, unreliable results.
5. No requirement for random sampling
Airlines are allowed to choose who they audit. There is no guarantee that workers facing the most serious unpaid work issues will be included.
6. Weak corrective measures if violations are found
Where non-compliance is identified, employers are expected to work with unions to make adjustments and address underpayments. But simply paying minimum wage after being caught is not enough.
Flight attendants deserve to be paid for all hours worked — at their regular rate of pay. That is why your union continues to push for legislative change, including support for Bill C-250, which would clarify the definition of work under the Canada Labour Code and help end systemic unpaid labour in aviation.
This federal probe was an opportunity to shine a light on unpaid work. Instead, we are very concerned that the current approach risks minimizing the scope of the problem.
We will keep members informed as this process unfolds. Your voices and experiences remain critical in this fight.
In solidarity,
Your Airline Division Council of Presidents