A statement issued by CUPE's Airline Division calls for both federal government and airlines to "protect the safety" of workers faced with increasing numbers of angry pax, frustrated by cancellations, delays, lost baggage and lineups at Canada's airports.
Wesley Lesosky, President of CUPE’s Airline Division, and Rena Kisfalvi, Secretary-Treasurer of CUPE’s Airline Division, which calls itself "Canada's Flight Attendant Union," issued the statement 05JUL.
"As leaders in Canada’s flight attendant union, we strongly condemn the mounting verbal and physical abuse against flight attendants and other airline workers as chaos grips airports across Canada.
"We are appalled and deeply disturbed by growing reports across Canada about abuse against our members, ranging from verbal insults to grabbing, punching, and kicking, and more.
"We acknowledge the frustrations of passengers when they experience delays and cancellations, because as flight attendants, those things disrupt and make our lives harder too – and we are experiencing them every single day.
"However, there is no excuse for the abuse our members are enduring, and there is no excuse for inaction on the part of the federal government and employers.
"Both the federal government and airline employers must step up to protect the safety of our members and their employees, and they must also improve staffing and working conditions to alleviate the extraordinary bottlenecks at Canadian airports."
