The chaos in the airports and the stress on the job for frontline airport workers continues as the ramifications of the decision to ground the Boeing 737 Max 8 works its way through the system.

Grounding the planes has meant that passengers must be put on new flights, some flights are cancelled and others have been rescheduled - all at one of the busiest travel times of the year.

It is customer service agents, guest service ambassadors and baggage service agents on the frontlines of dealing with stressed out and sometimes angry travelers who are seeing their plans disrupted at the last minute.

Both WestJet and Air Canada have said there will not be a quick end to this situation. There is no date for returning the Max 8 to service, and both companies have delayed releasing their latest financial updates while they calculate the financial implications of the Max 8 being taken out of service,

In situations such as this, a worker’s voice in the workplace is essential. At Air Canada, for instance, Unifor is in regular discussions with the employer about the impact of the disruption on the work lives of our customer service members. That will continue as the financial implications of the Max 8 grounding are brought to light in the weeks and months ahead.

At WestJet, the pilots, flight attendants and dispatchers are also able to meet with the company to discuss the impact of the grounding for their members, and will be at the table when WestJet attempts to account for the costs of grounding the Max 8.

CSAs, GSAs and BSAs also need a seat at that table. Without a union representing you as important decisions are being made, you have no voice in the workplace to match that of other workers.

Make sure your voice is heard, too. If you have any questions, please contact one of your organizers.

Billy O'Neill, Unifor
[email protected] | 416-605-1443

Quebec
Ada Zampini, Unifor
[email protected] | 514-701-6227

Prairies
Bruce Fafard, Unifor
[email protected] | 587-341-0945

British Columbia
Murray Gore, Unifor
[email protected] | 604-671-9141

Atlantic
Patrick Murray, Unifor
[email protected] | 506-850-7996