Toronto, October 12, 2011 – Flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), will not be going on strike tonight, as previously planned, following a notice by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB).
This notice from the CIRB came after correspondence late this afternoon from the Minister of Labour to the Board. One of the minister’s letters concerns section 87 of the Canada Labour Code, dealing with essential services to be maintained in the event of a strike or lockout. The minister’s intervention with the Labour Board, as it stands, postpones the calling of a strike until the question of essential services has been ruled on.
During all previous discussions and negotiations between Air Canada and its flight attendants, at no time did the employer make a formal request for the maintenance of “essential services” in the event of a strike.
CUPE remains available to resume negotiations with Air Canada.
For more information:
Robert Lamoureux, CUPE Communications, 416-993-1063 (rlamoureux@cupe.ca)
Robert Bellerose, CUPE Communications, 514-247-9266 (rbellerose@scfp.qc.ca)