CUPE NL Stands in Solidarity with Air Canada Flight Attendants

ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland and Labrador--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador stands in solidarity with flight attendants employed by Air Canada and demands the government respect their right to strike.

“It’s absolutely disgraceful that so much necessary and vital work flight attendants do before and after each and every flight is unpaid,” said CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador President Sherry Hillier. “No one should be working for free. Full stop.”

Flight attendants are only paid when the plane is moving, and work as many as 35 unpaid hours a week performing vital duties that ensure the safe and smooth operation of each flight. Now, instead of paying flight attendants for the work they do, Air Canada is threatening to lock out their employees and disrupt the travel plans of thousands of Canadians.

Our elected representatives must support workers’ rights to free and fair negotiations and collective job action. These rights are protected under both federal and provincial legislation and have been affirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada. If our lawmakers at the highest level have determined the right to strike to be “indispensable,” Air Canada must respect that.

“Air Canada is manufacturing a crisis instead of coming to the table and bargaining in good faith,” continued Hillier. “It’s clear they hope the federal government will step in just like they did with Canada Post and force flight attendants back to work. We can’t let that happen. We need to stand with flight attendants, as we do with all workers, and protect our Charter guaranteed right to strike.”

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