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Busloads of flight attendants, machinists, ticket agents and pilots 0065006d0070loyees of Inter-Canadien Airlines from Québec 00720061006clied at the headquarters of the Department of Transport in Ottawa December 3. Joined by members of the executive of the Québec Federation of Labour, the protestors demanded the government bring all of the parties to the table, including the government of Québec, Air Canada, Canadian Airlines, and Inter-Canadien management and its employees, in order to work out a restructuring plan.

They were supported by CUPE flight attendants in Halifax who joined Inter-Canadian pilots on a picket line at the airport.

In a statement supporting the Inter-Canadien workers, National President Judy Darcy said, “it’s not seat over-capacity or the free market that is killing Inter-Canadien. It’s federal inaction in the restructuring facing the industry and a disregard for regional communities.”

CUPE has been pressing the government to stop ducking its responsibilities and develop an airline policy with teeth that would manage competition, protect jobs for airline workers and assure service for smaller communities.

“The Minister has the authority and the responsibility to act in the public interest,” says Darcy. “He unleashed this crisis back in August. No more excuses. The time for action is now.”