Radio galley edition #1

It has been a while since I updated you on our bargaining. We are present and we are continuing our work! We moved forward this week in our preparations for our three meetings with the employer next week. We will be having meetings with the employer on August 22-23-24. After these three meetings , we have scheduled a total of 8 meetings with the employer in September. Things are moving!

Stay tuned for regular updates during this period.

You want to help the process unfold?

Show your support to the Bargaining Committee by wearing your Component pin on your uniform, and proudly attach a CUPE luggage tag to your carry-on!

Bag tags, “unpaid work won’t fly

It’s your right to show your support for your union. If you’re notified otherwise, or if someone representing the company notifies you of possible disciplinary action, contact your local without delay. We’ll be there to represent you and defend your rights.

We must remain united, it is the best way to gains improvements to our collective agreement !

If you would like a component CUPE pin or an “unpaid work won’t fly » baggage tag contact your local teams.

Revision 37 and additional tasks

I know that we are confronted with all-too-frequent changes to our tasks. Revision 37, in effect since last July, is a concrete example of new procedures added on the ground, during which we don’t get paid! I’ve heard you, we’ve heard you. If tasks are modified in the name of safety, they should be explained and validated by the cabin crew to reflect our reality, aircraft type, etc.! We have received many letters and calls on this matter. We have had discussions with the company, all of which have been positive. We questioned the procedures put in place by the cabin safety department and IFS (emergency sheet and safety pin procedure) and asked for a simplification of procedures for our FD colleagues. We trust we have been heard. Will the company revise its procedures in the near future? To be continued

Communication by the employer. LQ

I wanted to tell you that the union (the component executive) is the sole bargaining agent with the company. It is the role of the union to communicate an agreement (when there is one) to its members, not the employer. Recent decisions regarding language-qualified cabin crew are decisions made by the company, as part of its management rights. The PBS committee has expressed questions, but in the end it’s the company who made the decision. As far as the number of LQ cabin crew per flight goes, the collective agreement allows for flexibility. I’ve made it clear to the employer that they must stop speaking on behalf of the union. Recent communications have been divisive, don’t be fooled!

Canada Workers Benefit

Last but not least. To all our newly-employed colleagues, we are aware that wages need to be increased (for all of us in fact, regardless of our pay scale). Too many of our members have what is considered a low annual income. Many have to work 2nd or 3rd jobs to support themselves and or their families. This has to change!

I’d like to share with you important information about the Canada Workers’ Benefit program. If ever this benefit can give some of you a little relief, ask for it! It’s most likely that some of you will qualify. (More info bellow)

On that note, we continue our work with the objective of improving working conditions for all our members. Collective bargaining is the priority, so stay tuned, united and a COLLECTIVE spirit!  We are stronger all together!

In solidarity

Dominic Levasseur

President of your component