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SUDBURY (26 November 1997) The flight attendant who played a key role in reducing the toll of death and injury at the Dryden plane crash is fighting to keep her job with Air Ontario.
Sonia Hartwick has not been able to return to active duty since the tragic crash of an Air Ontario flight on 10 March 1989. Since she was terminated by Air Ontario in January 1996, Ms. Hartwick has received only Workers Compensation benefits of about $350 per month.
At the time of the accident, Ms. Hartwick was praised for the tremendous role she played in evacuating passengers from the burning wreckage after the plane had broken in two. Despite the darkness, the snow and the baggage and debris strewn about the crash site, she managed to assist passengers to safety.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents Ms. Hartwick and other flight attendants with Air Ontario, is arguing at an arbitration hearing in Sudbury today that Air Ontario has the obligation to continue to pay Ms. Hartwick or maintain her benefits.
“We see this question as a simple case of justice,” said Denise Hill, President of the Airline Division of CUPE. “Flight attendants are safety professionals and Sonias actions exemplify the role we are trained to play in an emergency situation.”
As part of the evidence before the tribunal, CUPE will present an affidavit from an Air Canada pilot who was a passenger on the Dryden flight. Haunted by flashbacks and anxiety attacks, he tried to return to his pilot duties twice without success. From the time of the crash in 1989 to his retirement in February 1997, he received long term disability benefits or his wages from Air Canada. Air Ontario is owned by Air Canada.
“Sonia was the only crew member who survived that devastating crash and was able to ensure the evacuation of the passengers. She should be entitled to at least as much consideration as a pilot who was only a passenger,” said Hill.
The Airline Division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees represents 8,500 flight attendants at Air Ontario, Air Canada, Canadian Airlines and other major national, regional and charter carriers.
For further information, contact:
Denise Hill, President, Airline Division of CUPE at (416) 798-3399 or (416) 567-9901