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In a letter to CUPE National President Paul Moist, Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly outlined plans to support CUPE’s campaign against the closure of Air Canada flight attendant bases in Halifax and Winnipeg.

I have written to the president of Air Canada urging them to reconsider their decision about the closure and outlining the importance of the base in our community and to our economy,” said Kelly.

In addition, Kelly will meet with CUPE local presidents to identify ways the municipal government can work with CUPE members to bring attention to the issue and save the base. “I will also be writing to Minister Blackburn urging him to refuse Air Canada’s Canada Labour Code exemption,” Kelly adds.

The base closures in Halifax and Winnipeg will result in layoffs for 630 flight attendants. Air Canada’s decision is motivated by results from a cost-efficiency study, which the company refuses to release to the public.

It is bad for the employees, bad for business and bad for the community at large,” says Moist. “Mayor Kelly’s voice is an important one in the community and his support for our efforts to keep the Halifax base open is welcomed.”

As Air Canada’s decision devastates flight attendants in Winnipeg as well as Halifax, Moist is hopeful that Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz will follow Kelly’s lead and speak out against the cuts.