As Air Canada flight attendants head towards contract negotiations, an aggressive public relations campaign has been launched to highlight grievances regarding pay, working conditions, and scheduling.
Referring to the carrier as Unfair Canada, the union representing the airline’s 10,000 flight attendants claims its members are not paid for boarding, safety checks or deplaning.
Wesley Lesosky, president of the Air Canada Component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), says the current collective agreement has remained unchanged for a decade. With the expiration date set for 31MAR, stakes are high.
AC flight attendants were pushing for compensation for unpaid work at an Unfair Canada pop-up exhibit in Toronto recently, Financial Post reports. Similar events have taken place recently in Vancouver and Montreal where the onboard product is ridiculed. Some might argue that discrediting your employer and the service it provides is a risky strategy.
“Everyone has their frustrations with flying, but for us as flight attendants, working hundreds of unpaid hours shoots to the top of the list. Flight attendants are largely only paid while the flight is in motion, working for free while boarding, deplaning and carrying out critical safety checks,” she said. “No other worker would be expected to show up for work and not get paid for it. This is a significant concern for our members.”
Shanyn Elliott, a flight attendant with Air Canada Rouge for the past seven years, shared with TorontoToday that she and her coworkers are expected to work up to 35 unpaid hours each month.
According to Financial Post, the starting hourly wage of approximately $30 per hour and the fact that flight attendants are only paid for time in-flight leave many, particularly junior attendants, earning less than minimum wage once unpaid duties are factored in.
Travellers using Toronto Pearson (YYZ), where Air Canada operates most of its flights, and other major airports across the country would feel the impact should the flight attendants hit the picket lines in a work stoppage, Insauga reports.
Since negotiations with Air Canada started on 11DEC, CUPE has aimed for a fair deal without striking.
“Our goal is to reach an agreement that satisfies our members and avoids disruption to passengers," Lesosky stated.
