Flight attendants will join forces with other airline workers this Friday in Toronto and Montreal to send a unified message to the federal government: it’s time to support workers in the airline industry whose livelihoods have been shattered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Members of Canada’s flight attendant union, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), will stand together in solidarity with members of Unifor and other unions representing workers in the airline sector to distribute leaflets and demand support from the federal government.

“We need action from the federal government yesterday,” says Wesley Lesosky, President of CUPE’s Airline Division. “Every day that passes means more jobs lost and more lives and livelihoods hanging in the balance.”

CUPE, which represents 15,000 flight attendants at nine airlines across Canada, has called on the federal government to implement pre-boarding COVID-19 rapid tests at airports to make flying safer. CUPE also says any direct government support to airlines should come with a public stake in the companies.

WHEN: Friday, October 30, 10AM ET

WHERE:

Toronto – Pearson International Airport, Terminal 1

Montreal – Office of Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, 4060 Sainte-Catherine West