You might have noticed we were briefly absent from the tunnel at YTZ over the past month. The airport authority – wrongfully – tried to prevent our team from talking to Porter cabin crew about our organizing drive and how CUPE has made life better for flight attendants across the industry. But we stood our ground, won the day – and now we’re back!
You might be wondering how can joining a union really change your day-to-day, so today we’re bringing you a “greatest hits” of CUPE’s wins for flight attendants in Canada in recent years. Take a look.
- CUPE set the standard for maximum duty day at 14 hours, with significant monetary premiums hours worked beyond 14. CUPE also set the standard for minimum crew rest home and when away from base.
- CUPE pushed back against restrictive and often discriminatory uniform and grooming policies that forced female members to wear high-heels, and barred members from having dreadlocks or visible tattoos. CUPE also won the right for members to wear henna tattoos and poppies for Remembrance Day on the job.
- At the outset of the pandemic, CUPE health and safety committees fought for and won changes to inflight service and access to proper PPE to keep members safe on the job.
- When the pandemic shook our industry, CUPE ensured thousands of furloughed members were still getting a paycheque – whether through the federal CEWS program, or through agreements to redeploy flight attendants to support immunization clinics. CUPE also ensured members who were sick or quarantined were being paid.
And there’s lots more. As members of Canada’s flight attendant union, Porter cabin crew will have the opportunity to make important changes in the workplace, and change this entire industry for the better.
If you haven’t already signed your card to join your union, go to https://porter.cupe.ca/sign-a-card/.