January 21, 2022 at 4:30 PM
We have all read the recent message from Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, released on January 13, 2022, regarding the updated "Employee Travel Program Enhancements". Unifor is disappointed to learn that Air Canada had not consulted the employee groups on this issue.
Since the introduction of the B1 travel passes, many employees have felt overwhelmingly frustrated and disappointed with how the employer has taken a divisive position in offering the B1 passes to certain workgroups within Air Canada.
For years now, Unifor has been vocal regarding the inequitable distribution of travel passes. Air Canada had responded indicating that they were in the process of revamping the travel passes. It is with great dismay that we are put in front of a fait accompli that does not fix the inequities, and pushes this issue even further in the wrong direction. Once again, Unifor members have been left behind. During these difficult and unprecedented times, it is the courageous efforts of our frontline members that have ensured the viability of Air Canada. The revised travel program once again demonstrates a lack of appreciation and respect and is a slap in the face.
Air Canada has been adamant that travel passes are a company benefit and that they are not bargained into our Collective Agreements. This should not mean that they can use our company's benefits to create a division amongst its employees by further providing staggering inequities.
Air Canada cannot be allowed to hide behind the privilege banner; culture change demands that an inclusive and fair process be created.
Air Canada's new pass policy reminds us of the quote from George Orwell’s novel, Animal Farm. We borrowed the concept from it as it reflects the current state of the pass policy.
"All employees are equal, but some employees are more equal than others."
We encourage our members to raise their voices by contacting Ms. Meloul-Weschler along with their local managers, to express their concerns regarding the "enhancements" to the Employee Travel Program.
In Solidarity,
Air Canada Bargaining Committee
Steve Murphy – Pacific Region
Joanne Goulet – Interim Chairperson, Western Region
David Peng – Central Region
Benoit Lapointe – Eastern Region
Cheryl Robinson – Atlantic Region
Tammy Moore – President, Unifor Local 2002
Frances Galambosy – Unifor National Service Representative, Airline Sector
Leslie Dias – Unifor Director, Airlines Sector
January 18, 2022
Arielle Meloul-Wechsler
Executive Vice President
Chief Human Resources Officer and Public Affairs
Air Canada
As President of Unifor Local 2002, I am writing to you on behalf of the four bargaining units that we represent at Air Canada; Air Canada CSSA’s/CES, Aeroplan, Air Canada Flight Operations Crew Schedulers and Air Canada In Flight Crew Schedulers.
We were taken aback to read your recent announcement regarding the travel program changes at Air Canada. We had received cursory advice from Labour relations that there would be focus groups initiated and at the time of this advice, details were scarce. There was no further communication to Unifor, Unifor Local 2002, or any of the above mentioned bargaining units. We are not aware of any of our members who participated in these “focus groups.” If they did, we were not made aware, nor did we know how they were selected.
When the B1’s were introduced, Unifor was very vocal in establishing that this type of pass segregation was an insult to our hardworking members. We continually lobbied for a revision to the policy which reflected inclusion and the recognition and merit of an employee’s service which gained you a seat on an aircraft. We were dismissed and advised that passes were a privilege and therefore not a Collective Agreement issue. It appears you have made it a Collective Agreement issue, but only for some. Ms. Meloul, you had the opportunity to correct the existing imbalance within the travel program. Unfortunately, with your revision of this policy, you and the Air Canada Executive Board have done the opposite and created further inequality.
The members of Unifor Local 2002 are proud Air Canada employees. They have worked tirelessly, diligently and loyally for this company, especially over the past two years in the face of a global pandemic. It is unfortunate that because of the lack in consultation with the leadership and membership, the “exciting news” of the travel bundles has left our membership feeling yet again that they are not as valuable as their colleagues. I am available for further discussion.
Regards,
Tammy Moore
President
Unifor Local 2002
PDF
/22-01-21 Travel Enhancements Creates Division EN.txt