Air Canada flight attendants picket outside YYC ahead of possible strike
Air Canada flight attendants picketed outside Calgary International Airport after more than 99 per cent of union members voted in favour of striking if negotiations for fair pay don't produce a deal by the end of the week.
'An entry-level flight attendant at Air Canada makes $1,952 a month. They have to live in Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver,' said Brittany Thomas, vice-president of CUPE Local 4095, the union that oversees the workers.
Some of the roughly 400 Air Canada flight attendants based out of Calgary walked out Monday morning, carrying signs of protest as their counterparts in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto did the same.
It was an hour-long demonstration they called 'a day of action,' meant to raise awareness about their pay.
'These levels of wages are absolutely unacceptable, especially coming out of a 10-year contract and especially considering how much Air Canada has profited,' said Daylen Mitansky, also with CUPE 4095 and a service director with Air Canada.
Along with higher wages, they want to be paid for all of their work.
Right now, they're only compensated for the time the plane is in the air and often do hours of unpaid work each day.
'You could be on duty for 12 to 13 hours, and your credit could be just under seven hours—six and a half,' said Thomas.
John Gradek, a professor in aviation management with McGill University, said the pay is supposed to offset those unrecognized hours, but the contract signed 11 years ago lags far behind inflation.
'The cost of living, as we all know, has gone off the deep end, and that's why I'm basically saying 30 [to] 35 per cent in a wage increase is not unheard of for this group,' he said.
Air Canada flight attendants picketed outside Calgary International Airport after more than 99 per cent of union members voted in favour of striking if negotiations for fair pay don't produce a deal by the end of the week.
Air Canada flight attendants picketed outside Calgary International Airport after more than 99 per cent of union members voted in favour of striking if negotiations for fair pay don't produce a deal by the end of the week.
The old ways are also changing, with Delta Airlines in the United States being the first to start paying wages pre- and post-flight.
'Flight attendants now have a precedent that's been set,' said Gradek.
'Air Canada is a canary in a coal mine in this one; they're the first guys out, and we'll see how CUPE manages the Air Canada negotiators over the next few days.'
Contract talks with the airline started at the beginning of the year, and workers have now voted almost unanimously to strike if there isn't a deal soon.
An Air Canada statement says it is 'determined to reach a fair and equitable collective agreement that recognizes the contributions of its flight attendants and supports the competitiveness and long-term growth of the company.'
Air Canada flight attendants picketed outside Calgary International Airport after more than 99 per cent of union members voted in favour of striking if negotiations for fair pay don't produce a deal by the end of the week.
Air Canada flight attendants picketed outside Calgary International Airport after more than 99 per cent of union members voted in favour of striking if negotiations for fair pay don't produce a deal by the end of the week.
While bargaining talks continue, travellers at YYC are taking it in stride.
'Nobody likes to be held up, especially at an airport, but if it's in their right to do so, then it's OK for them to do it,' said Gary Loo.
'They've probably got just cause. I'm sure it's working conditions. I'm sure it's too many hours, not enough pay,' said Janine Thompson.
'All for them to have more money and everything. They're all pleasant, and I enjoy flying with them,' said Janette Davis.
A strike could happen as early as this weekend.
There would have to be at least 72 hours' notice, and experts say if you are impacted, don't try to change your flight before it is cancelled, or you won't qualify for full compensation.
If a strike impacts your flight, the airline must find you an alternate solution.
You get to decide whether or not you like their suggestion, and if you don't, you can get a full refund.
With files from The Canadian Press
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