Today, Air Canada’s on -board agent organized a national day of action at several Canadian airports to denounce the use of unpaid work widespread throughout the air transport sector and claiming a fair collective agreement.
The on -board agent, represented by the Canadian Public Service Syndicate (SCFP), recently gave their union a practically unanimous strike mandate in the context of the negotiations in progress with Air Canada, to find the impossibility of concluding an agreement that adjusts the questions of unpaid work and wages of misery for the agent at the start.
“There is a very clear way for Air Canada to avoid a labor conflict: paying your workers when they are in service, and paying them the salary that allows them to live and work in dignity. This is not unreasonable demand, “said Wesley Lesosky, president of the Air Canada component of the SCFP, which represents more than 10,000 on -board agents across the country.
“We put on our uniform with pride to ensure public safety during his travels, but we must stop doing it for free or for a wages of misery. »»
“Air Canada, from one ocean to the other, gathered today to support each other and defend the pride and dignity of their profession. Together, we demand respect and a fair employment contract, up to professionalism and dedication that we show at work, day after day. »»
This negotiation round occurs at the end of a 10 -year -old collective agreement in maturity on March 31, 2025. The on -board agents saw their purchasing power crushed by inflation and the increase in the cost of living over the years. The on -board agent at the start of their career, who work full time and earn only $ 1,952 per month before taxes, are the hardest hit. Meanwhile, all of the on -board agent perform hours and hours of unpaid work in connection with essential tasks related to security, boarding and landing of passengers and passengers, and management of emergency situations on board.
“Air Canada has garnered billions of dollars in profit in recent years and can afford to pay its workers in a fair, without imposing new costs on the public,” added Wesley Lesosky.
The two parties are still at the negotiating table and the union remains optimistic that Air Canada will recognize the essential role of its on -board agent in the excellent performance of the company. The staff have also been recognized as the “best cabin staff in North America” for several consecutive years by Skytrax. Air Canada has the opportunity to show an example in the air transport industry by ending unpaid work and wages of misery for on -board agent at the start of their careers.
