CUPE has called on the federal government to provide immediate assistance to the airline industry. In a letter to transport minister David Collenette, National President Judy Darcy asked for an urgent meeting to address threatened layoffs that could affect many of our 10,000 sisters and brothers who work as flight attendants.
The events of September 11th in the United States have already had a serious economic impact on the Canadian airline industry, and carriers expect reduced air passenger travel in the months to come. Several foreign carriers have already announced cuts, and both Air Canada and Air Transat have announced they are seriously considering employee layoffs.
These troubles started well before last week, said Darcy. Airline workers have made tremendous concessions in the last decade, and despite this, they continue to live with the instability of their industry. Liberal policies of deregulation have contributed to the upheaval and insecurity, she added, and it is only fair that the federal government assume some of the financial responsibility for this mess.
Frano0069s Bellemare, president of CUPEs Airline Division, said Few other sectors have taken the hits that the airline industry has in recent years. Flight attendants have made numerous sacrifices. They must not be made to bear the brunt once again.