March 26, 2018 at 2:30 PM
As you may have read, from last week's email communication dated March 21st, Air Canada released its latest corporate fantasy publication, "Airports Style Standards Book" and its sister publication relating to the Concierge group. Air Canada informed the Unifor Bargaining Committee of these handbooks on March 18, 2018. The Committee has identified serious concerns with the standards book and has advised the Company that we will not tolerate the offensive tone, the arrogant assumptions, and the outrageous expectations as outlined in this handbook.
We have recently received communication from the Company, advising that the book was intended to be a guideline and that the company would make the culture change gradually; that we as employees should give it “consideration.” On the contrary, many entry-level managers have been communicating with our membership that they will be on a policing grooming campaign after March 27.
It is difficult to respect the Company and their desire to engage us as brand ambassadors when Management is living in an alternate dimension. As outlined in the standards book, the expectation that employees modify their eating habits so they do not smell, stand up straight and smile at people so "we can be the best brand ambassadors" demonstrates a corporate objective that is devoid of any real direction.
Rather than eroding the goodwill of our members through constant "pettiness" on details of uniform standards, Air Canada should be engaging our members and providing sufficient staff and the necessary tools to perform our jobs efficiently. Instead, the Company is choosing to spend money on a trivial publication that does not provide sufficient improvements to the traveling public. To add further insult to injury, the Company has outlined expectations that female members of the bargaining unit are to be spending vast amounts of their pay cheque purchasing high-end makeup. In response to this outrageous suggestion, an easy slogan comes to mind "If you want me to look like a supermodel then you will need to pay me like a supermodel."
If Air Canada was truly interested in empowering our front-line members to look their best and demonstrate a professional commitment to our customers, they would have provided us with adequate uniform components, along with a dry-cleaning allowance. Air Canada should have used its resources to institute a uniform program that is easy to wear and care for, not just one created by a brand name designer. It is difficult to look good in your new uniform when you can’t even get the correct size.
Having sufficient staffing levels and the necessary tools are the best visible brand ambassador tools for Air Canada. Unfortunately, Management has not figured that out.
Your Air Canada Bargaining Committee
Frances Galambosy, Central Region, Chairperson
Tammy Moore, Atlantic Region
Benoit Lapointe, Eastern Region
Joanne Goulet, Western Region
Steve Murphy, Pacific Region
Leslie Dias, Unifor National Staff Representative
Euila Leonard, President Unifor Local 2002
For more information:
Please contact your regional Bargaining Committee Representative
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