Air Canada Members: Scope work is not for sale

Air Canada Members: Scope work is not for sale

September 7, 2021 at 3:44 PM

Unifor is aware that Air Canada has reached out to recently retired members and offered them a temporary contract, instructing them to respond to queries at the airport help desk.  It is disappointing that the company has behaved in this manner. Rather than approaching the union first, the management decided to approach some retirees underhandedly, creating anxiety among current members.  

Scope work will not be compromised or shared because of management’s lack of planning. Over the last few weeks, scope violations have been mounting as the company engages in panic management. The union has filed dozens of grievances in a matter of weeks.

On another note, thanks to all our members who have been vigilant about scope issues. When you use the airport help desk for one of the options covered by non-union staff, please be mindful that you must not let them perform actual transactions while following their instructions. You will handle these transactions on your end, such as disruption transfers, ending a file, etc.

Calls made to the help desk on ticketing, rates, and TIMATIC must be handled by members in our bargaining unit in Canada.  Please ask whom you are speaking to and report to the union if your calls on these matters are taken by employees in the US as they are represented by IBT (Teamster’s Union). They are not part of our bargaining unit; therefore, it still constitutes a scope violation.

Unifor has put Air Canada on notice to cease and desist this practice immediately and to stop the contracting out of our work. We will guard and maintain our scope of work with all avenues available to us. We will not back down.

In solidarity,
Air Canada Bargaining Committee
Steve Murphy – Pacific Region
Joanne Goulet – Western Region
David Peng – Central Region
Benoit Lapointe – Eastern Region
Cheryl Robinson – Atlantic Region
Frances Galambosy – Unifor National Service Representative, Airline Sector
Tammy Moore – President Unifor Local 2002