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Global News
3 days ago
- Business
- Global News
An Air Canada strike would be ‘devastating' for tourism: industry group
Air Canada and the union representing its flight attendants are approaching crucial deadlines this week as a group representing the tourism industry warns a strike would be 'devastating.' More than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants are poised for a potential strike that could occur as soon as this week. The cooling-off period ends this Friday, setting the stage for a potential strike. For flight attendants to walk off the job or Air Canada to put in a work stoppage at midnight on Friday, a 72-hour strike or lockout notice would have to be given by midnight on Tuesday. The Canadian Union of Public Employees' (CUPE) Air Canada component said over 99 per cent of Air Canada flight attendants voted to strike, adding that the vote result reflects its members' 'deep frustration' after months of stalled negotiations toward a new contract. Story continues below advertisement The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is warning that a strike or lockout during peak travel in August and into the Labour Day long weekend could significantly impact Canada's tourism economy. 'The potential for widespread travel disruption, exacerbated by existing labour shortages and rising travel costs, would have a devastating impact on tourism businesses and the livelihoods they support across Canada,' TIAC said in a statement. The group urged both sides to 'reach a resolution that safeguards our industry's momentum and Canada's reputation as a world-class destination.' However, it added that if the two sides are unable to reach a settlement, the federal government should 'step in to avoid massive disruption and protect the travelling public and our industry writ large.' On Monday, Air Canada flight attendants held a 'day of action' outside some of Canada's major airports. Dozens of flight attendants for both mainline Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge stood outside Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Montreal, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Vancouver International Airport and Calgary International Airport for about an hour starting at 1 p.m. eastern. 2:01 Air Canada flight attendants hold demonstrations across Canada When can the union strike? The cooling-off period between CUPE and Air Canada began on July 26, with the strike vote commencing two days later. During this period, the labour minister can appoint a mediator to continue to assist the parties in reaching an agreement. Story continues below advertisement However, a union can choose to strike or an employer can choose to lock employees out if certain conditions are met. A strike vote needs to be taken and both parties need to give 72 hours' notice before either a strike or a lockout. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Now with a strike mandate in hand, the union could be in a legal strike position as soon as Aug. 16 at 12:01 a.m. eastern, CUPE said in its statement. A spokesperson for the union told Global News that 'the goal is not to go on strike' and that union negotiators will be back at the table with Air Canada starting Aug. 15. 6:18 The Travel Lady gives advice to travellers as an Air Canada flight attendants strike looms What are some sticking points? The union said flight attendants at Air Canada are often expected to perform 'unpaid labour,' adding that there is a gendered element to this system since the majority of flight attendants are women. Story continues below advertisement Air Canada flight attendants are not paid for duties they perform before and after flights, including critical safety checks, boarding and deplaning procedures, assisting passengers with special needs and preparing the cabin, the union said. 'This practice persists because flight attendants' compensation is based on 'block time' (takeoff to landing), not from when the employee begins work. Unlike most workers, flight attendants are not paid when they report for duty, even though they are expected to be in uniform, on-site, and performing job-related duties, including critical safety-related duties mandated by Transport Canada,' the union said in a statement. Air Canada said time spent on onboarding and performing other on-ground tasks is covered under the current collective bargaining agreement, which covers 'Duty Period.' This begins one hour before flight departures and ends 15 minutes after flight arrival. 'If the employee is requested to be on duty outside of these times or to perform service to passengers on the ground, the collective agreement provides for additional compensation,' Air Canada said in a statement. Every month, cabin crew at Air Canada are guaranteed a minimum pay ranging between 65 and 80 credit hours, whether they work these hours or not, Air Canada said. An Air Canada Rouge flight attendant is guaranteed a minimum of 75 to 80 credit hours per month, it added. CUPE also says its members have been earning 'poverty wages' as cabin crew at Air Canada, arguing their wages have grown 10 per cent since the year 2000 and have not kept up with inflation. Story continues below advertisement 'A full-time worker earning federal minimum wage earns approximately $36,000/year; due to their low hourly rates and the volume of mandatory unpaid work, a full-time entry-level Air Canada flight attendant earns less than minimum wage — just $27,000/year before taxes,' the union said in a statement. The hourly pay is $41.39 for a Rouge flight attendant with five years of service, $63.07 for a mainline flight attendant with 10 years of service, and up to $87.01 for a service director, Air Canada said.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Swimming training for children to prevent drowning incidents: Min
T'puram: To reduce the number of accidents occurring in reservoirs, state govt will provide swimming training to children, said minister for animal husbandry and dairy development J Chinchu Rani. She was inaugurating the district-level Junior/Sub-Junior Swimming Championship organized by district aquatic association in Kollam on Monday. "Swimming is one of the best ways to improve physical fitness and can also save lives. Providing training to children will help prevent drowning incidents, especially in areas near water bodies," the minister said. She also announced that the construction of the swimming pool at Lal Bahadur Stadium will resume soon. Alongside swimming, better infrastructure will be developed for other sports disciplines in the district. A cricket training facility has been established near Ashramam Maidan and 50 acres were acquired for a new cricket stadium in Kottarakkara under the leadership of the Kerala Cricket Association. A hockey stadium is also in the pipeline. The minister added that over 350 sportspersons from Kerala who excelled in international competitions such as the National Games, Olympics and Asian Games were provided govt jobs. District sports council president X Ernest presided over the event. District aquatic association president N Jayalal, secretary Azad Abdul Kalam, TIAC manager R Ratheesh Kumar and former international swimmer S Manamayil were among those present.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Donation to TIAC allows for new consignment store, more
May 21—CLAYTON — The Thousand Islands Arts Center, which next year will have a new home, recently received a donation of real estate that will allow for a greater expansion of its future James Street campus. The TIAC announced Thursday that earlier this year, it was the recipient of a "generous and surprising" donation of the property at 313 James St., the former home of River Magic. It was purchased and then gifted to TIAC by longtime supporters Mary and Ted Mascott in support of the arts center's ongoing campus expansion. Construction is progressing at 321 James St. in Clayton for TIAC's new building. The $5.1 million project was announced in June of 2023 after a $2 million grant was received from the New York State Council on the Arts Large Capital Improvement Grants for Arts and Culture program. The grant required a 100% match, and that was made by an anonymous donor. TIAC now operates out of 314 John St. in a building constructed in 1877. The nonprofit is also home of the Handweaving Museum, which is the only one of its kind in the country. The nonprofit center had operated a thrift and consignment store, Finders Keepers, 321 James St. — the construction site. It was staffed by volunteers, with all merchandise donated. All proceeds supported the center. Finders Keepers will now be set up at the donated building at 313 James St., next door to the new building "In the immediate future, this wonderful gift will allow for our beloved Finders Keepers to reopen with even more space for vintage treasures and finds," TIAC Executive Director Sarah Riddoch said in a news release. Opening day for the new store is Wednesday. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. It will remain open through Columbus Day weekend. Riddoch said that in the coming years, the site promises to become a vibrant public art park that will establish an inviting entrance for its new facility at 321 James Street. "This extraordinary gift will significantly enhance the long-term aesthetics of the Arts Center campus and further contribute to the welcoming atmosphere of downtown Clayton," she said.
