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February 12, 1999, UPDATE # 12

By

Pamela Sachs, Component President,

on behalf of the Bargaining Committee

The Union met with the Company on Tuesday, February 8, 1999 to receive a package the Company terms “the basis of an offer of settlement”. During their presentation to the Union, the Company stressed the need for “flexibility” in the contract.

The company tabled a three year collective agreement with an increase of 3% on ratification with no retroactivity, 3% November 1, 1999 and November 1, 2000. The offer also included minor improvements to the collective agreement, including pension and benefit programs. The following is a list of some areas where the company is seeking concessions.

* Language - increase route languages

* Trip hour guarantee - remove 1 in 3:30 on narrow body aircraft

* Sickness - convert sick days to sick hours

* Purser courses - re-qualify annually/selection outside of seniority/delete 35 hours

* Vacation - align to calendar year and vacation cash out

* Re-assignment - modify B6.03 - greater flexibility

* Flight Service Director classification - delete classification as of ratification

* Open flying - reverse crewing by load/load sensitive replacement of blocked positions

* Airport move up - to include draft away from home base/into days off

* Maximum monthly limitation - increase to 78 hours

* Voluntary extension - increase to 90 hours

* Temporary Basing - increase to 8 consecutive months

* Operational flying - B6.02.01 - ability for non-management employees to operate on flights

* Special assignments - no limits for duration of assignments

* CUPE Central Site representative - delete

* B767 onboard rest implementation - no permanent crew rest area

The union will meet during the week of February 22 to review our list of proposals and prepare what we believe will be the basis of an offer of settlement.

Your bargaining team will present a counter offer to the company on March 11. We hope to be in intensive bargaining during the week of March 15th and the week of March 22nd if needed.

It’s time to see if Air Canada is serious about reaching a negotiated settlement.

It’s time for Air Canada to give respect and dignity to flight attendants. It’s time for the Company to thank us ……. “it’s time for our share”.

Keep informed; contact your local union representative if you have any questions or comments.