Air Canada's employees seek share of gains they helped create

TORONTO, Jan. 26, 2015 /CNW/ - Customer Sales and Service Agents at Air Canada will be seeking economic gains after having made many sacrifices during the turbulent times in the airline industry, according to Unifor. Bargaining for a new collective agreement opened today in Toronto.

"A major contributor to the company achieving financial stability is front line employee dedication and hard work," said Leslie Dias, Unifor National Representative and lead negotiator.

Unifor says that front line employees are handling 30% more passengers than 2004 with 30% fewer agents. Despite these challenges, Air Canada's employees helped the company win Best Airline in North America for five consecutive years.

"Our members are doing a great job under often challenging circumstances. They deserve a reasonable share of the gains the company has made in recent years," said Cheryl Robinson, President of Unifor Local 2002. "It shouldn't only be shareholders who benefit from the airline's profitability."

Unifor 2002 represents 4,100 employees at Air Canada. Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 305,000 workers. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions merged.

SOURCE Unifor