CUPE successfully lobbies for bill to ban unpaid work in airline sector

Being part of a strong union means being able to negotiate better contracts. It also means being able to advocate to change the law and improve our industry and our profession as a whole.

As Canada’s flight attendant union, CUPE is celebrating the introduction of Bill C-415, the Flight Attendant Remuneration Act, in the House of Commons. The legislation from NDP MP Bonita Zarrillo will ban the practice of forcing flight attendants to perform hours of pre-flight, post-flight, and training duties without pay.

Bill C-415 will require airlines to pay flight attendants their full rate for all hours worked.

Click here to tell your Member of Parliament to support Bill C-415.

The bill comes after significant input and consultation with CUPE’s Airline Division. As Carolyn Bugnon, President of CUPE Local 4094 representing Air Canada flight attendants based in Vancouver, said: “This bill is the bill that flight attendants wanted, and we are grateful to Bonita and the NDP for working with us as partners to develop this legislation.”

The legislation is the direct result of CUPE’s Airline Division’s Unpaid Work Won’t Fly campaign, which kicked off with a national day of action in April 2023, and a lobby day on Parliament Hill in May 2024.

Bill C-415 is a testament to the power of collective action by CUPE flight attendants who work at airlines big and small all across Canada. When flight attendants work together, and stand united, we can move mountains!

Click here to show your support for Bill C-415 by signing a letter to your MP.

And if you’re ready to grow your voice at work and in the halls of power, sign your union card today!