Canada’s federal government could have eased the standoff between Air Canada and its unionized flight attendants if they had addressed the issue of unpaid work, a union representative said. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) gave Air Canada a 72-hour strike notice after negotiations over wages and ground duties stalled.
CUPE represents around 10,000 flight attendants who argue that they should be paid for all their time on the job, including pre- and post-flight duties. Air Canada has proposed paying them 50% of their hourly wage for work done on the ground, but the union is seeking 100%.
The issue has sparked debate among politicians, with opposition parties backing changes to the Labour Code to ensure flight attendants are paid for all hours worked. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP interim leader Don Davies have both called on the government to support amendments to the code.
CUPE’s president, Wesley Lesosky, said that if the Liberals had backed the change last year, the situation with Air Canada might be different now. “It should be addressed through the government and shouldn’t be used as bargaining capital at the table,” he said.
The Liberal government has so far refused to comment on whether they would support changes to the Labour Code. However, a spokesperson for Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu encouraged both sides to reach an agreement, saying that medators will remain available until a deal is reached.
Delta Air Lines is one of the only major airlines that offers ground pay to its flight attendants, while Porter Airlines and some smaller carriers also provide compensation for pre- and post-flight duties. The issue of unpaid work could spill over into future labour negotiations with other Canadian airlines if not resolved.
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/flight-attendants-unpaid-work-labour-code-1.7607862