The union of flight attendants reacts cautiously to Air Transat’s narrow-body aircraft plan
16 janvier 2013
Montreal,
Wednesday, January 16, 2013 – The union representing Air
Transat flight attendants cautiously reacts to the plan presented
by Air Transat in Montreal this morning. Until January 23, the
company is holding a series of meetings in Montreal, Toronto and
Vancouver to inform its employees about a plan to develop a fleet
of narrow-body aircraft consisting of B737s. The company is
presenting the plan as a way both to reduce costs and to ensure
employment stability. The Air Transat Component of the Canadian
Union of Public Employees (CUPE) will study the plan in the coming
days, in light of the best interests of the flight attendants.
« We all have a stake in Air Transat becoming
profitable again and maintaining its jobs. We demonstrated our good
will this summer by accepting a three-year deferral of our wage
increases related to our cost of living, » noted Peter Buzzell,
President of the Air Transat Component of the Canadian Union of
Public Employees (CUPE).
« The flight attendants listened to the company’s presentation in
Montreal today and were able to address their questions to senior
management. The project is interesting, but will entail
cost-cutting measures. Although no formal proposal is yet on the
table, we will have discussions with all of Air Transat unions and
then consult with our members, » added the union leader.
The primary role of Air Transat flight attendants, specialized in
emergency situations, is to ensure passenger safety. They are
divided into three local unions, corresponding to their three
bases: CUPE 4041 (Montreal-YUL), CUPE 4047 (Toronto-YYZ) and CUPE
4078 (Vancouver-YVR). The Air Transat Component oversees these
three local unions.
In total, CUPE represents nearly 10,000 members in air transport,
including workers at Air Canada, Air Transat, Sunwing, CALM Air,
Canadian North, CanJet, Cathay Pacific and First Air.
CUPE is the largest union in Canada with 618,000 members working in
health, education, municipalities, libraries, universities, social
services, public services, urban and air transport, emergency
services and communications.
