November 6, 2020 at 5:00 PM
ARBITRATION UPDATE
On August 24, 2020, Unifor and Flair Airlines met via video conference with Arbitrator Andy Sims to hear the three (3) outstanding grievances that have been pending since July, 2019.
Policy Grievance 199-03-18: Article 8.1.3 - Minimum upgrade qualifications
As previously communicated, Unifor filed a policy grievance regarding violations of Article 8.1.3, Minimum Upgrade Qualifications. Post ratification, the Union and Company held different positions on how the total hours were to be calculated. The following PDF link will bring clarity on how the sliding-scale is to be applied.
During this process the Union also took the opportunity to amend Article 8.1.2 as to ensure all Direct Entry Captains must meet the minimum upgrade qualifications as per Article 8.1.3.
Policy Grievance 199-04-18: Article 20.26 - Double time for schedule changes that are greater than 3 hours.
The Union took the position, "if a Pilot’s scheduled day of work is changed by three hours or more on either side of the original schedule, they must be compensated for the entire original credit hours or the actual credit hours, whichever is greater, at the rate of two times the regular pay." Please see the following PDF link below as action may be requested on your part.
The Memorandum of Understanding states in part, "The parties agree that Pilots currently employed by Flair Airlines may make application to the Company with specific dates and times where they believe the premium in Article 20.26 applies as per the terms outlined in this MOU. The Company will review applications which date back as far as July 1, 2019, and pilots will have 30 days from the signing of this MOU to make an application to the Company. All premiums owed to Pilots as a result of this application and review process will be paid by the Company by December 31, 2020."
As you will have noticed the MOU was signed on October 6, 2020, however, neither party has formally communicated the specifics of the MOU. As such, members will have thirty (30) days as of today – November 4, 2020 – in which to file an application with the Flair Airlines per the above.
If you are making an application, please ensure you send the application to Matt Kunz, ([email protected]) and copy Unifor representatives: Mark Wilcox ([email protected]) and Ashley Watkins ([email protected]). It is essential that you provide as much detailed information as you possibly can and outline the reasons for the claim of double time (e.g. provide copies of schedules being referenced, etc.)
Policy Grievance 199-04-18
During the August 24th mediated session with Arbitrator Sims, the union and company intended to address the third grievance, 199-01-19 regarding training bonds. Unifor soon learned that the matter may be more complex than originally considered. As a result, Unifor has advised that we would deal with this grievance via the formal arbitration procedure. We have since been in touch with Unifor’s legal department and are working towards preparing the case and firm up dates.
We will advise you as the matter unfolds.
CANADA NEEDS A PLAN FOR AVIATION
Aviation workers held rallies and distributed leaflets in two provinces last Friday, urging the federal government to create a national aviation recovery strategy. The rallies were led by Unifor where hundreds of workers joined in unity at Pearson International Airport, as well as the Constituency Office Marc Garneau, Canada’s Minister of Transport. Speakers included: Jerry Dias, National President of Unifor, Barret Armann, Unifor Local 7378 President of Sunwing and Cargojet Pilots, Anthony Modarelli, Toronto Airport Workers Council (TAWC), and Tim Perry of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).
"Over the past seven months we have seen a transformation in the aviation sector like no other," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. "The facts are now clear. If we want to save our aviation industry from total collapse, we need the federal government to implement an aviation strategy that focuses on workers and building the sector as a whole."
More rallies will be taking place in the coming days in both the Pacific and Atlantic Regions, which are sure to garner even larger crowds as momentum and frustration grows. Please stay tuned for more information.
Unifor represents more than 16,000 members working in the air transportation sector. Canada's airline industry is an essential strategic resource that contributes to our economy and social fabric. It employs 141,000 workers and contributes $35 billion in GDP annually. Airlines also move imports and exports worth more than $110 billion. Unifor continues to push the federal government to act and create a plan to prevent the current crisis from collapsing the industry entirely.
Any aviation recovery strategy must focus on three main pillars: an updated approach to border controls that is rigorous, safe and reflects scientific evidence; an industry-specific corporate support package that ensures benefits flow through workers and communities and continued government support programs for furloughed employees until recovery is secured.
CLICK IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW VIDEO
To learn more about Unifor's action plan, visit:
CanadaNeedsAPlan.ca
For more information, please contact:
Ashley Watkins, Assistant to the Local 2002 President
/20-11-06 Flair Airlines update en.txt