In case you’ve been monitoring the Air Canada strike and its developments, you’ve likely come across the term “ground pay” and observed flight attendants protesting unpaid work. Over 10,000 flight attendants went on strike, resulting in numerous flight cancellations. Following a federal back-to-work order defiance by employees, Air Canada and the flight attendants’ union reached a tentative agreement, bringing an end to the operational standstill that lasted for days.
Details of the settlement were not immediately disclosed, but Mark Nasr, Air Canada’s chief operations officer, confirmed that the issue of ground pay has been resolved. Ground pay emerged as a major point of contention during negotiations. The federal government initiated an investigation into claims of unpaid work within the airline industry amid the ongoing work stoppage.
Flight attendants have been advocating for fair compensation for tasks performed before takeoff. The union representing Air Canada’s flight attendants highlighted the importance of receiving payment for all work hours. Contract discussions between Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) have been ongoing for about eight months.
The airline’s previous offer included a substantial increase in total compensation over four years, aiming to make the flight attendants the highest-paid in Canada. However, the union objected to the proposed raise in the first year due to inflation concerns. While specific details of the tentative deal remain scarce, the union assured that unpaid work concerns have been addressed.
Ground pay became a pivotal issue in the dispute, disrupting travel for a significant number of passengers. Flight attendants are currently compensated only during flight hours, leaving them with unpaid responsibilities on the ground. This practice, prevalent in the North American airline industry, includes tasks such as passenger assistance and safety procedures before and after flights.
Flight attendants have been advocating for fair compensation for ground work, emphasizing the need to be paid for all duties performed. The airline proposed ground pay at 50% of the hourly rate, but the union is pushing for full payment for ground duties. The longstanding issue of unpaid ground time reflects a corporate focus on profit over workplace fairness, as highlighted in a recent labor history review.
Delays on the ground have increased during the pandemic, leading to more unpaid work for flight attendants. Air Canada and other airlines have faced challenges in on-time performance, prompting discussions on compensating ground duties. Several airlines have taken steps to address compensation for pre-boarding and post-boarding tasks, with disparities existing in payment practices across the industry.
