Nov. 3, 2008, Ottawa - - Air Canada flight attendants were
heartened last Friday when the Manitoba government initiated court action in defence
of the flight attendant base in Winnipeg.
The government of Manitoba filed a Notice of Application, in the Court of
Queen's Bench seeking a declaration that Air Canada's decision to close the
Winnipeg's Flight Attendants base breaches the federal Air Canada's Public
participation Act.
According to Lesley Swann, President of the CUPE Air Canada Component
representing the Flight Attendants, "The fact that the Government of Manitoba
is taking action about these base closures gives us hope. This community
deserves to have cabin crew in place to get their flights off the ground in
bad weather and other delay situations. It is fortunate that we have leaders
who walk the walk when it comes time to protect the flight services and
airlines workers in their community. We praise the government of Manitoba for
its decisive action."
The Union representing the flight attendants has lobbied federal and
provincial politicians as well as Air Canada officials to keep the bases open.
While there has been massive public support for the Flight Attendants and
keeping the bases open, Air Canada has implemented their job cuts and base
closures as announced in June. The Governments of Manitoba and Nova Scotia,
have both issued public demands that the bases be kept open.
Numerous political figures in both provinces have pledged their support
to keep the Flight Attendant bases in Winnipeg and Halifax open.
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