Halifax, NS – CUPE Nova Scotia strongly condemns the federal government’s decision to interfere in workers’ right to collective bargaining and job action by invoking Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code.
“Clearly, this government is anti-union and anti-worker,” said Alan Linkletter, CUPE Nova Scotia President. “Forcing workers back on the job instead of supporting free and fair collective negotiations directly contradicts workers’ rights that are guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”
Air Canada has asked the government to crush striking workers’ Charter rights, and Federal Labour minister Patty Hajdu is ready to deliver. Hajdu announced that the federal government will be invoking Section 107 at a press conference this afternoon, citing the financial welfare of Canadians and the economy at large as a deciding factor for this decision.
“She says this move is for the financial security of Canadians—are these workers not Canadians? Does their welfare not matter? How can you be financially secure when you don’t even get paid for all of the hours you work?”
Contrary to the Minister’s remarks, this will not ensure labour peace in Canada. This will only push this fight onto the next group of workers in negotiations, while Air Canada’s flight attendants continue to work for a billion-dollar company for free.
Flight attendants are only paid when the plane is moving, and work as many as 35 unpaid hours a month performing vital duties that ensure the safe and smooth operation of each flight. Now, instead of paying flight attendants for all the hours they work, Air Canada has clearly sought help from the federal government to continue exploiting their employees.
“Minister Hajdu’s comments indicate a clear lack of respect for workers’ rights,” said Sherry Hillier, President of CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador and National General Vice President for Atlantic Canada. “By using Section 107 to force workers back on the job yet again, they’re setting a pattern. And that pattern is that Liberals don’t care about Canadians.”
Recent polling data indicates that 9 out of 10 Canadians support Air Canada flight attendants’ fight for fair pay.
88% per cent of Canadians believe flight attendants should be paid for all work-related duties including boarding, delays, and safety checks.
76% support raising their pay to reflect the important safety role they play.
59% believe the federal government should respect flight attendants’ right to take job action–even if it causes travel disruptions.
CUPE represents over 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants across the country, and workers have been demonstrating at Halifax Stanfield International Airport since 6AM.
“Messages of support have been pouring in for these workers from across the country,” continued Linkletter. “Canadians stand with us. Our elected representatives should, too.”
For more information, please contact:
Sherry Hillier
President, CUPE Newfoundland & Labrador
National General Vice President, CUPE Atlantic and Maritimes regions
709-765-2996
Alan Linkletter
President, CUPE Nova Scotia
president@cupens.ca
Taylor Johnston
CUPE Atlantic Communications Representative
tjohnston@cupe.ca
Haseena Manek
CUPE Atlantic Communications Representative
hmanek@cupe.ca
