“Joining CUPE has allowed us to advocate for our members in ways that simply weren’t possible before. Having a collaborative space with other airline workers has given us a platform to raise all our working standards and show a united front across our industry. Together, we’re changing the face and the working conditions for our profession in Canada.” – Alia Hussain, President, CUPE 4070 (WestJet, Encore, and Swoop)
CUPE is proud to be Canada’s flight attendant union, and Porter cabin crew deserve a leading national labour union to represent them. CUPE’s airline division represents 18,500 flight attendants in Canada at large carriers like Air Canada and WestJet, as well as smaller regional carriers like PasCan and PAL Airlines. CUPE has a long and proud track record of working with members to achieve the best contracts in the industry.
Strong voice. CUPE is a strong voice for flight attendants in Canada on the issues that matter most. CUPE fought hard to get supports and resources for members during the chaos of the pandemic. CUPE is currently leading the fight against unpaid work in the sector so that flight attendants are paid from the moment we arrive at work in uniform.
Your union, your say. As CUPE members, Porter cabin crew will elect our own members to represent us at the bargaining table, and we’ll have full autonomy over our decision-making and finances, while enjoying the full support and resources of Canada’s largest labour union.
“Joining CUPE has provided our membership with greater job security, better working conditions, and connected us with the other major airlines in Canada to work in solidarity to change our industry working standards. CUPE has provided us with guidance and training while allowing local autonomy for how our flight attendants want to see our union run. This balance has equipped our local to be successful long-term which, in turn, has had benefits for our airline as well.” – Cameron Jones, President, CUPE 4060 (Flair)
Safer, healthier workplaces. CUPE has decades of experience successfully lobbying for better standards in the airline sector, including sufficient cabin crew, protection against fatigue, and professional job training. CUPE is a founding member of the Global Cabin Air Quality Executive, a global coalition dedicated to raising awareness and finding solutions to poor air quality in aircraft. CUPE has also successfully negotiated collective agreements to maintain a safety proven ratio of flight attendants to passengers. During the pandemic, CUPE fought to have cabin crew recognized as front-line priority workers for immunization, access to PPE, dedicated seats and lavatories on aircraft, rapid testing, and on-board masking.
“Local autonomy with CUPE affords you the right to do what’s best for your members, while giving you the training, education, and professional assistance you and your members need to win at the bargaining table. You truly are part of a larger team.” – Wesley Lesosky, President, Air Canada Component of CUPE
Fighting for gender equity. CUPE has led the fight for professional respect and dignity for flight attendants, the majority of whom are women, including pay equity challenges, arbitrations against sexist grooming and uniform policies, and preventative leave for pregnant flight attendants to limit exposure to hazards.
The tools we need. CUPE will provide us with industry-leading resources in education, legal, communications and research, and a $118 million strike fund to assist members during job action.
Strong contracts. CUPE continues to negotiate strong contracts to protect airline workers against excessive workdays and overtime, health and safety violations, and downward pressure on wages and benefits – all at a time when transportation workers across Canada are threatened by increasing precarity.
When you compare other contracts negotiated by CUPE in the airline sector, the CUPE advantage is clear:
- Pay for ground delays
- Pay for layovers
- Clearly established rules to address paycheque discrepancies
- Higher starting hourly wages
- Higher pay for Cabin Crew Leaders
- Better retirement security through employer-contribution pension plans
- Longer crew rest periods for longer flights
- Parking allowances
- Footwear, uniform and drycleaning allowances