The Canadian government has detailed its upcoming actions in the ongoing inquiry into unpaid labor within the aviation sector. The investigation, initiated by Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu amidst a strike at Air Canada by flight attendants, will involve consultations with both employees and employers, along with two roundtable discussions with industry stakeholders.
Employment and Social Development Canada has scheduled roundtables with key players in the industry for September 23-24 and October 2-3, setting an October 17 deadline for feedback. The department aims to release the findings promptly, with a report expected to be publicly available by early December.
Minister Hajdu emphasized the importance of addressing potential loopholes that may allow employers to sidestep compensating flight attendants adequately for their work. She highlighted the possibility of enacting new legislation to address gaps in the labor code but stressed the importance of balancing the rights of workers and employers to negotiate terms and conditions of work.
Section 107 of the Canada Labor Code was invoked by Hajdu in August to resolve the Air Canada strike, which disrupted numerous flights during the peak summer travel season. The strike concluded on August 19 with the aid of a federal mediator, leading to a tentative agreement between the parties, which was later rejected by the flight attendants.
The union representing the flight attendants has raised concerns about inadequate compensation for off-flight duties, claiming that members work significant unpaid hours each month. They are pushing for fair remuneration for all time spent on the job, including ground time.
As the investigation unfolds, the Canadian government aims to address these issues and seek solutions that benefit all parties involved. Flight attendants represented by CUPE are expected to rally on Parliament Hill to draw attention to the issue of unpaid work in the domestic airline industry.
