The union representing Air Canada cabin crew is pushing back after the airline transitioned 52 mainline aircraft to Air Canada Rouge, the carrier’s wholly-owned subsidiary, in a move some have described as an unauthorized expansion of the "leisure" brand.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has filed a grievance on behalf of its members, noting the current collective agreement only permits Air Canada Rouge to operate 50 aircraft.
“Air Canada Rouge is not intended to replace Air Canada Mainline Routes Air Canada considers financially viable."
“Air Canada must get the Union’s consent to increase the total number of aircraft operated at Air Canada Rouge beyond fifty,” the current collective agreement reads. “Consent will not be unreasonably withheld provided that Air Canada Mainline Cabin Personnel are not negatively affected.”
According to CUPE, Air Canada did not seek permission to exceed the agreed-upon limit. Air Canada has said the changes are temporary.
“Our priorities are to protect Mainline scope and opportunities and ensure Rouge growth does not come at the expense of Mainline members,” Wesley Lesosky, president of CUPE’s Air Canada component, said in a letter sent to union members last week.
“We are demanding immediate compliance, full make‑whole remedies for any adverse impacts, damages to the Union, and disclosure of all documents the Company is relying upon.”
CUPE officials note that the collective agreement defines Rouge's mandate. “Air Canada Rouge is not intended to replace Air Canada Mainline Routes Air Canada considers financially viable," it reads.
The union has also sent a letter to Patty Hajdu, Canada’s Minister of Jobs and Families, expressing broad concerns about wages centred on claims of unpaid work at airlines, including Air Canada.
“CUPE believes the current approach taken by the airlines, and accepted under the existing interpretation of the Code, fails to reflect the true nature of flight attendants’ work and risks legitimizing ongoing unpaid labour in the industry,” Lesosky wrote.
