CUPE National President Paul Moist sent a strong message of solidarity and support to the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW local 2002), currently in the midst of a strike with Air Canada.
“In solidarity with the members of CAW, the Canadian Union of Public Employees will suspend all our normal business travel with Air Canada for the immediate future. We hope this sends a clear signal to the company,” said Moist.
In a strongly worded letter to Air Canada President and CEO Calin Rovinescu, Paul Moist stated, “I urge you to remove Air Canada’s concessionary demands from the bargaining table. They are a prescription for bad labour relations. Your Pilots have rejected your approach, CAW members have as well, and I can assure you CUPE has no intention of granting the unjustified concessions that you seek. We will support CAW members in their current struggle and all Air Canada unions until such time as the company shows its workforce the respect it deserves.”
CUPE proudly represents 6,800 Air Canada flight attendants, who are also currently in bargaining. The Air Canada Component of CUPE recently requested conciliation in the hopes of reaching a fair agreement with the employer.
“Some of the issues CAW members are the same as those facing our members, including the creation of a low-cost carrier with lesser wages and working conditions, and the unacceptable concessions in the pension plan. For ten years now, the company has asked concessions from its workers. Often, these concessions were agreed to by our members because of the airline’s financial difficulties. But now that Air Canada is on more stable financial footing, it’s time for a fair deal for all its employees,” said Moist.
