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OTTAWA – Today, the Air Canada Component of CUPE, which represents over 7,000 flight attendants at Air Canada/Air Canada rouge served notice to their employer to begin the process of bargaining. “Our members deserve a fair deal achieved through free collective bargaining,” said Michel Cournoyer, president of the Air Canada Component of CUPE.

“Air Canada flight attendants are proud in-flight safety professionals. We care deeply for our passengers, and, for four consecutive years now, we’ve won ‘Best Flight Attendants in North America’ by Premier Traveller Magazine”, added Cournoyer. “We truly want our company to succeed, and to grow. Air Canada flight attendants are the face of this company. We are hopeful that the corporation will recognize our continued contributions to the success of Air Canada, and see the importance of treating us with respect and fairness at the bargaining table.”

Cournoyer mentioned that the members’ priorities would focus on improvements to job security, wages, working conditions, and protecting the defined-benefit pension plan, amongst other items.

“Our members want to secure urgently needed improvements to our working conditions, and to recoup many of the significant concessions that were made by our members to help out the company during its lengthy bankruptcy protection and restructuring in 2003,” said Cournoyer. “Air Canada has come a long way since those difficulties, and it’s time for our members to share in the company’s extraordinary success and profitability.”

“Last time we were at the bargaining table, the conservative government interfered with our democratic right to collectively bargain, and maneuvered to prevent our members from exerting their right to strike. Recently, the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that the right to strike is constitutionally protected. It is our hope that the Canadian government respects the Court’s decision and allows the bargaining process to take its course as per Canadian Labour Law.” said Cournoyer.

For additional information:

Philippe Gagnon
CUPE Media Relations
613-894-0143
 pgagnon@scfp.ca