(Halifax) – The union representing the five flight attendants who were on the CanJet flight hijacked in Jamaica is asking the media to respect the privacy of the crew members.
CUPE National Representative Peter Baxter says, “Our members who were on Flight 918 and involved in this horrible ordeal are asking the media, through their union, to please refrain from trying to contact them about what happened.
“We are asking the media to simply back off for now, out of respect to the crew members and their families. They have been through quite an ordeal, as you can imagine,” says Baxter.
CUPE National Representative Danielle Scarpelli, a former flight attendant herself, says, “If and when these brave crew members feel ready to speak, we will advise the media where and when that will happen, and it will take place in conjunction with the airline.”
Scarpelli says CanJet has been totally supportive throughout the ordeal. The five flight attendants are currently on paid leave and will be receiving additional support and counselling through their Employee Assistance Program, when they feel ready.
CUPE Local 4044 represents 190 CanJet employees based in Halifax, Toronto and Montreal.