Migrante Canada expressed solidarity and recognition for the members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the union representing Air Canada employees, and for their successful strike. Air Canada is the country’s largest airline.
“Their union’s victory is not only for them but also for the entire labor movement. This struggle shows that organized and militant workers can win over exploitation and oppression,” Migrante Canada said.
On August 16, 10,000 flight attendants from Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, led by CUPE, launched a strike in the airports of Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary. This strike forced Air Canada to suspend more than 700 flights, which caused delays for 130,000 passengers per day. On August 17, invoking section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, the government ordered CUPE to return to work. However, the union stood firm and refused to back down. Section 107 authorizes the labor minister to order a union to stop a strike in order to maintain order and peace in the industry.
According to the union, airline companies in various countries have long practiced not paying flight attendants when they are not on air or are only in terminals during so-called “ground time.” During their ground duties, flight attendants oversee passengers’ boarding and disembarking. Airlines also do not compensate them for the time spent between flights. As a result, they do not receive pay for as much as 35 hours of work monthly.
The union is demanding compensation for unpaid ground time, higher wages, and better working conditions.
On August 19, the strike ended after the company was forced to enter into negotiations with the union.
