Your time and health are valuable, and you should not be expected to work without proper breaks and/or crew rest.
This is an issue that has plagued us for years. No matter what “new” service or type trials are imposed upon us, we always take it upon ourselves to ensure that our passengers are not inconvenienced or missing out, sometimes to the detriment of our health.
In recent months Air Canada has provided us with information regarding new type trials and “enhanced” services on various flights. Most recently, this includes hot towels, ice cream, farewell chocolates, and enhanced bar services in Y Class, as well as a pre-meal bar, linen service, and “increased cabin coverage” in PY. As well the already busy aft-galley person will be making hot chocolate from individual packages and sending bar carts out with five silex pots on top which is an accident waiting to happen.
There is no need to remind you that we are already working at our maximum capacity. We do not understand how it can be that the Company is creating even more duties for an already strapped work force. On top of these additions to service, we are still expected to deliver within the required service times.
Added to that pressure, we have OBSMs on-board watching every move that we make, and we are hoping that our hairdos hold out, our nail polish doesn’t chip, and our shoes don’t get scuffed. What if we mistakenly wear our apron in the aisle or forget that our glasses are on our head?
There is only so much that any number of people can do. If you fill a cup with water, the glass is full. There is no more that can be added.
If you want more water, you are going to need another glass. This analogy translates well to our members and in our view, if you want to have more service then the only logical approach is to increase the amount of crew members onboard.
We recognise that the Company has assigned hand-selected Service Directors and Flight Attendants to act as coaches. The irony is not lost on us that these roles could be better served by just adding crew members.
We would like to give pause and remember our true purpose onboard the aircraft. Our primary mission is passenger safety. This becomes patently clear when there is a medical situation, a disruptive passenger, or during those very rare occasions when an aircraft or its occupants are placed in jeopardy. It is then that our invaluable skills, wisdom, knowledge of the equipment, and expert execution of the procedures are obvious.
We would like to ask that you keep in mind your own limitations and perform your duties as assigned but not to the detriment of your health. Take your breaks as assigned, including rest breaks and proper hydration. As with all things that we do, safety is our top concern and should come before all else.
If you are working flights and find that there is not sufficient time to complete the required safety duties, we ask that you complete the Health and Safety Concern forms that are provided.
In order for us to help to change these impossible conditions, we benefit from your feedback. This information will give us the evidence required to give teeth to any potential grievance.
Please submit your Health and Safety Concern forms. If you have statements regarding service limitations and impossibilities, please send them to contact@accomponent.ca.
In solidarity,
