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Friday August 25th 2023

Many of you may have read about concerns with TXQ and fume events across our social media groups lately. TXQ has been fixed and is in good working order. 

It is important for you to feel safe at work. You can always ask your FCM questions to understand better and feel comfortable when flying.

Read on for more information on fume events, and a more detailed link from Cupe is at bottom of the article.

ONBOARD FUME EVENTS

These events aren’t as common as many other things that we deal with on a daily basis in flight, however, they are dangerous when they do occur and pose a serious concern.

Fume events occur when there’s oil that leaks out into the engine and passes through the airplane’s ventilation system, into the cabin air we breathe.

Oil contains tricresyl phosphates (TCPs) which are toxic to the nervous and reproductive system. 

Oil fumes don’t smell like oil, but are commonly described as “dirty socks”, smelly feet, foul smelling or as having  musty/moldy smell. 

Symptoms experienced and severity of symptoms can differ amongst crew members. Some symptoms may not appear immediately, but rather after a few days.

Individual factors such as genetics, health, endocrine function, metabolism and medication can influence each person’s physiological response to fume events. Everyone may not experience the same symptoms, or react in the same way.

Symptoms may include:

Cognitive impairments such as: 

blurred vision, tunnel vision, dizziness, light headiness, 

headaches, 

difficulty concentrating, brain fog

Throat irritation

Nausea and vomitting

Longer term effects may include:

damage to respiratory system and central nervous system, 

impaired memory and cognitive function, 

weakened immunity

If you have been subject to a fume event, it is important to fill out a Safety report via Coruson, as well as an injury declaration form through Coruson. An entry must also been made in the CLG. 

Seek medical help for your symptoms with your doctor, clinic or hospital. 

Keep your health and safety committee in the loop by checking ‘yes’ in Coruson on the box to send to HS, and feel free to email us anytime.

 

For more information please read Cupe fact sheet on fume events.

https://cupe.ca/sites/default/files/0195_hs_fact_sheet_onboard_fume_events_en.pdf

Safe flying!

Your H&S committee

Susan, Jenn, Lisa, Eva and Valérie

You can reach us at:

hsyyz@atcomponent.com

SSTYUL@atcomponent.com

hs-chair@atcomponent.com

 

To: All Air Transat CUPE Members Date:

August 20, 2023

This is a reminder : The voting period of the by-election for (temporary) Component Vice-President starts tomorrow, August 21 at 12 noon (EST) and will end August 31 at 12 noon (EST).

Also, please find attached the ballot statement of each candidate.

The following candidates are running:

Lisa Kampis

Sheena Sumra

Jennifer Yurchuk

You can review the candidates’ statements by clicking on their names (function only available in e-mail format, check your personal e-mail and or your spam date sent, Sunday August 20 12:09 PM).

Just before voting starts, you will receive an email from our election provider, SimplyVoting, as CUPE Air Transat Component, to your personal email address that we have on file. Please update your PERSONAL email address at attabulating@gmail.com, if you have not done so already!

Remember: Your vote is your voice!

N.B. For this by-election, all exceptions to the component by-laws have been approved by brother Mark Hancock’s CUPE National President’s office.

In Solidarity,

Maria Zongos, for your component Tabulating Committee

Inflation is on the rise, and our wages are slow to increase. For those of you at Entry Levels 1 and 2 and Echelons 1 and 2, i.e. $35.16/hr or less, you could qualify for the Canada Workers’ Benefit plan!

In recent weeks, the federal government has issued the first automatic advance payments of the new, improved Canada Workers’ Benefit. This  refundable tax credit is designed to help low-income working individuals and families.

The CWA has two components: a basic amount and a disability supplement.

You can apply for the ACT when you file your income tax return.

Starting in July 2023 and based on the 2022 tax year, the ACT will provide advance payments equal to 50% of the ACT over 3 payments as part of the Canada Allowance for Advanced Workers (CAWB).This initiative puts more money in workers’ pockets to help them cope with the rising cost of living.

Anyone who received the ACWB in 2022 will receive the advance payments; there’s no need to apply.

Below is a quote from the government announcement:

“The Canada Workers Benefit tops-up the income of up to 4.2 million hardworking Canadians—because no one working full-time should be struggling to put food on the table or to pay their rent. With the first quarterly Canada Workers Benefit payments going out tomorrow, we’re delivering important support to some of our lowest-paid and often most essential workers at a time when they need it most

The full press release can be viewed here :   Low-income workers to receive first enhanced Canada Workers’ Allowance payments – Canada.ca

For our members on entry levels 1 and 2 and echelons 1 and 2 of the pay scale , you could be eligible for the low-income supplement based on a guaranteed minimum of 75 hours in RSV or an average of your hours of 75h or less regular block .

Refer to the Government of Canada website to consult the table of eligible earnings.

Remuneration levels

Entry 1 $29.53 x 75h = $26,577 gross, before deductions

Entry 2 $30.74 x 75h = $27,666 gross, before deductions

Step 1 $32.04 x 75h = $28,836 gross, before deductions

Step 2 $35.16 x 75h = $31,644 gross, before deductions

Amount you could receive. This information is general; each case must be analyzed individually.

1,428 for a single person:

The amount gradually decreases once adjusted net income exceeds $23,495. You are not entitled to the basic amount if your adjusted net income exceeds $33,015 for a single person in Ontario, or $29,072 in Quebec.

2,461 for a family:

The amount gradually decreases once adjusted family net income exceeds $26,805. Your family is not entitled to the basic amount if your adjusted family net income exceeds $43,212 in Ontario, $35,912 in Québec.

The amount gradually decreases once adjusted family net income exceeds $26,805. Your family is not entitled to the basic amount if your adjusted family net income exceeds $43,212 in Ontario, $35,912 in Quebec.

Source: Government of Canada

https://www.canada.ca/fr/agence-revenu/services/prestations-enfants-familles/allocation-canadienne-travailleurs/revenu-net-non-admissible.html

Please note that the income threshold is based on net income.

Net income level at which the beneficiary is not eligible for the Canada Workers’ Allowance
Taxation year 2022 – Canada Workers’ Allowance

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

 

Wednesday, Auguts 9th, 2023

To: All members of CUPE-Air Transat

Regarding the upcoming by-election for temporary Component Vice-President; some members have shared their concerns about the exceptional timelines that were approved by Mark Hancock’s office, Presdient of CUPE National.

I have heard and read your concerns about submitting your candidacy which, in the notice I had sent on July 31, the deadline stated August 14 at 12 noon EST.

Before I was to leave on a pairing, my liaison at Simply Voting told me they needed all necessary documents by August 8! However, after speaking with my liaison Tuesday, I was able to sort out Simply Voting’s concerns, and can confirm that the candidate submission deadline remains as is, August 14 at 12 noon EST.

The election vote starting on August 15 at 12 noon EST, the day after the candidate submission deadline, posed a challenge. First, it left no time to announce to the membership the candidates running on the ballot, and secondly, there was no time allowance for the candidates to do any campaigning.

After I spoke with and emailed Mark Hancock’s office, am pleased to report the following modifications were approved for this exceptional by-election process:

 

1. Revised election dates : August 21 at 12 noon EST – August 31 at 12 noon EST.
2. The candidates will have from August 14 – August 20 to campaign.
3. After the candidate submission deadline on August 14 at 12 noon EST, the Tabulating committee shall send a notice on the same say (August 14) to all members stating the candidates on the ballot.

 

N.B. For this by-election, all exceptions to the component by-laws have been approved by brother Mark Hancock’s CUPE National President’s office.

 

In Solidarity,

Maria Zongos, for your component Tabulating Committee

​

House of Commons Petition Update

A message from your airline division

We wanted to update you on the recent petition we commenced in regard to the Unpaid work our members put in while working. We have amassed 17,012 signatures, and the petition is now closed.

Each and every one of you should be extremely proud of this amazing accomplishment. This is a solid signal to the Government that the Code needs to be followed, and we need to start being paid while at work.

As noted in the press release attached, once the House of Commons resumes sitting after the summer break, Mr. Bachrach will be able to formally table the petition in the House, after which the federal government will have 45 days to formally respond.

We look forward to this response, and as always, will keep you posted as we work through this process

Wesley Lesowski, president of the airline division of CUPE

Updates on Bargainning

Thursday July 23rd 2023

This week, we held the 11th and 12th meetings between your bargaining committee and the company. We are working hard and remain confident that we are making progress for our members. Although the summer season is in full swing, and despite various irregular schedules, we continue to plan our meetings for August and beyond. We appreciate your support and patience, and are eager to share the progress as your committee moves forward. Between meetings with the employer, the committee continues its work of preparation and union representation. Like you, we are aware of the timing and are diligently working hard. The bargaining calendar is agreed upon with the employer, taking into account the availability of both parties. We are striving to have more negotiating dates in September to speed up the process.

Your bargaining committee

I would like to take a few minutes and share some of this week’s actions union actions.

we know that the next few days/weeks will be very busy. I would like to thank you personally for your efforts and hard work.

We know that you have all been waiting a very long time for improvements in your wages and working conditions.

Negotiations are the priority. Meeting dates are scheduled for this month. The work is ongoing.

Triptrade! Trip what? What a headache. Hundreds of e-mails sent to BADE and to the locals.

The system is clearly not functioning properly. We have all been experiencing it for too long. We were promised fixes to the various “bugs” since last December. We have to admit that this is not the case.

Almost half of the problems are related to the way the system works. Although solutions are in place or in the process of being implemented, our collective agreement must be respected!

If you have lost hours due to a problem with open flying assignment, or if you believe that your rights have not been respected. It’s important to notify your locals with the details of your concerns. A form to this effect will be created shortly and available on our website. Although we keep the conversation going with TS to improve the system, grievances are an important tool in enforcing your collective agreement.

Pick up 3 hours prior to the flight in YYZ and LGW

LGW

The union and the hotel and transport committee are closely monitoring the situation. We have been advised of numerous delays in departure from the hotel by the transportation company. If you have a layover in London, please notify the hotel committee of any delays between the hotel and the airport.

As far as the crew hotel downtown Toronto is concerned, as soon as the company informed us of the fact that transportation departures had been changed to 3 hours before the flight, we suggested solutions immediately. We asked for data on the frequency of late arrivals at YYZ airport due to transportation problems.

We have identified exceptional cases. We have notified the company that a return to a pickup time of 2 hours 15 minutes before the flight must be implemented without further delay. The hotel committee has suggested temporary solutions such as other approved hotels located closer to major highways but still DT, thus reducing travel time by 20-30 min. This solution has not yet been adopted by the company. Please let us know of any delays and/or transport issues in YYZ via CREWCARE

Service committee

We would like to update you on the progress of your service committee.

Since the service was launched on June 1, we have met with the company on several occasions. Here are the main items on our agenda:

– We are still seeing too many problems with the loading of double VS single bars on A330s, mainly for our YYZ operations. If you find that loading standards are not being met, please let us know. There should always be two single bar trolleys at the front of the aircraft, not a double bar. It is important to complete a Coruson report when you have a double bar in place of two single bars. Handling the carts could be a cause of workplace injuries.

– CSM and QRG updates that we completed in October and approved by the company, but which have still not been updated in the MSC. Basically, the customer service manual still contains a lot of errors, which can complicate the work of our colleagues with less experience on our flights. The reference guides must reflect the services to be offered on board.

– UBO. Loading of the galleys is problematic. A review of loading is planned by comex in the fall. The nozzles for filling water jugs will also be replaced in the fall.

– We are asking for more dairy products, creams, coffee and tea bags.

– Coffee/tea service on OB flights after 22:00, is it necessary?

New-generation coffee and tea pots are expected in the next few days/weeks.

NEW, we have created a form for members to use to report various topics related to the service. We invite you to complete it as required. The form is available on our website

SERVICE FORM

In Solidarity

Dominic Levasseur

President of your component

Today marks a very important date for our members.

June 30 is the last day of operation for our YVR crew base. Everyone on the Component Executive is united in ensuring that our YVR base is never forgotten.

We would like to welcome all of you who have decided to move your lives to YYZ or YUL. We know that this decision was not only difficult to make, but that it took a lot of hard work and effort to move thousands of kilometers away from home in order to keep the work you love.

To our brothers and sisters who have decided to hang their wings and retire, we extend our best wishes for success in the new adventures of their lives.

Finally, to those who are leaving us, you will be missed.  Memories will be shared for many years to come!

We know that everyone at YVR has fought hard to keep our base and Transat brand strong out west for all these years.

You will always be part of our family.

#YVR4EVER

In solidarity

Your component executive

Until this day, the retirement committee (Local 4041) has been operating with only one delegate, Marie Claude Bourdages, focusing on the financial aspect and the performance of the retirement plan.

The social and human aspect (voted at 96% on June 6, 2023) is now added to this committee with the presence of Lucie Verdon and Line Gaboury.

Thank you for your trust!!

Line and Lucie have just enough years of seniority to create a close creative partnership between the union and the employer, and just enough wisdom to be fully involved! All while thinking about creating, determining, and refining the steps of your eventual retirement!

We aim to establish and perfect the retirement program effectively in close collaboration with the employer and the union.

Our involvement is driven by the mission to initially prepare the transition to retirement by developing three currently non-existent aspects.

1.Pre-retirement. At this stage, the future retiree finds themselves at the end of their career and on the threshold of a new life.

A) In the near future, we hope to collaborate on the creation of an information booklet that facilitates the transition to retirement.

B) Create voluntary training sessions for cabin crew members (PNC) who plan to retire within the next 48 months. The training should address the concerns of PNC members, such as psychosocial aspects, finances, health, insurance, and Access-bleu.

2. Retirement. After their career at Air Transat, the retirement of PNC members should be formalized, announced, prepared, and appropriately celebrated. For this purpose, a representative “Vive la retraite” kit is being created. (Shh, it’s a surprise 🎉)

3. Post-retirement. Making the decision to withdraw from the labor market is an important step in life. To celebrate this transition, we are in the process of developing an annual retirees’ happy hour! As we aim to implement this Vive la retraite program at reduced costs but with memorable impact, we will eagerly await your suggestions through an upcoming survey. We look forward to creating a wonderful retirement for all.

Line and Lucie ✈️

retraite4041@gmail.com