OTTAWA - Air Canada Flight Attendants were heartened today when the Manitoba Government initiated Court Action in defense of the Flight Attendant base in Winnipeg.
The government of Manitoba filed a Notice of Application, in the Court of Queen’s Bench seeking a declaration that Air Canada’s decision to close the Winnipeg’s Flight Attendants base breaches the federal Air Canada’s Public participation Act.
According to Lesley Swann, President of the CUPE Air Canada Component representing the Flight Attendants, “The fact that the Government of Manitoba is taking action about these base closures gives us hope.
This community deserves to have cabin crew in place to get their flights off the ground in bad weather and other delay situations. It is fortunate that we have leaders who walk the walk when it comes time to protect the flight services and airlines workers in their community. We praise the government of Manitoba for its decisive action.”
The Union representing the Flight Attendants has lobbied federal and provincial politicians as well as Air Canada officials to keep the bases open.
While there has been massive public support for the Flight Attendants and keeping the bases open, Air Canada has implemented their job cuts and base closures as announced in June. The Governments of Manitoba and Nova Scotia, have both issued public demands that the bases be kept open.
Numerous political figures in both provinces have pledged their support to keep the Flight Attendant bases in Winnipeg and Halifax open.
For further information:
George Bouchard, President CUPE, Local 4093, (204) 999-3541; Daniela Scarpelli, CUPE National Representative, (416) 458-0588; Humberto da Silva, CUPE National Representative, (416) 839-9550