Ottawa outlines next steps in probe of unpaid airline work

The federal government is moving ahead with its investigation into unpaid work in the airline sector, a process that could lead to changes in labour law.

As reported by CBC, employment Minister Patty Hajdu said Ottawa will consult with employees and employers and host two roundtable sessions with industry stakeholders — scheduled for Sept. 23–24 and Oct. 2–3 — before publishing a report by early December.

The investigation follows complaints from Air Canada flight attendants, represented by CUPE, who say they are not compensated for duties performed on the ground, such as boarding and deplaning. 

CBC has reported that attendants work about 35 hours a month without pay.

“This is obviously not unique to Canada,” Hajdu told The Canadian Press. 

“This is an industry-wide approach. But Canada can lead in terms of solving what I think sounds like a very deep irritant for workers in this industry.”

Hajdu launched the probe in August, during a three-day strike at Air Canada.

The strike disrupted hundreds of flights during the peak summer season and ended Aug. 19 with the help of a federal mediator.

The tentative agreement reached at that time included a 12 per cent salary increase this year for junior flight attendants and an eight per cent raise for senior members, followed by smaller increases in subsequent years. 

Air Canada said the deal also offered improvements to wages, pensions and benefits, along with a contract component recognizing ground time.

However, flight attendants voted to reject the deal earlier this month, sending the issue back to mediation. 

If unresolved, the dispute will go to arbitration. Flight operations have not been affected.

Hajdu has said the government’s goal is to determine whether a loophole in the Canada Labour Code allows employers to avoid paying attendants fairly for ground duties.

CUPE members are expected to rally on Parliament Hill today (Sept. 16) to push for an end to what they call unpaid work in Canada’s airline industry.

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