Air Canada - Strike Mar 12

[skd_mrk]

I would think the financial payouts to leaders of the holding company wouldn't even be a question. The holding company runs several other enterprises from what the article says right? If the other companies under the holding company (not Air Canada itself) are profitable enough to justify those pay packages its not really a strong argument.

Comparing the compensation of the Air Canada executives themselves to the various American airlines (not just AA) it would put the executives into maybe the top 1/3 of total airlines, but at the bottom of that top 1/3. I don't really know what the landscape of the airline industry in Canada is like, but based on certain comments made here that they essentially have a monopoly in air travel I don't find that particularly extreme.

Also while it may suck that they make that much money, even if you cut their salary/bonuses/pension etc and divided it among the rank and file employees it would probably amount to a few bucks for each of you. Also looking at the market valuation of Air Canada it seems its value has really fallen off a cliff since 2005...I'm guessing that's roughly when the gov't stepped in. I would bet if the gov't viewed executive compensation as excessive they could have it pushed lower quite easily.

 

[wh1te]

Don't care. I never fly Air Canada.

You would if I touched your bag

I don't really know what the landscape of the airline industry in Canada is like, but based on certain comments made here that they essentially have a monopoly in air travel I don't find that particularly extreme.

Also while it may suck that they make that much money, even if you cut their salary/bonuses/pension etc and divided it among the rank and file employees it would probably amount to a few bucks for each of you. Also looking at the market valuation of Air Canada it seems its value has really fallen off a cliff since 2005...I'm guessing that's roughly when the gov't stepped in. I would bet if the gov't viewed executive compensation as excessive they could have it pushed lower quite easily.

Air Canada controls the majority of domestic travel, followed by Westjet, then Porter and even Sunwing (rare). The US mainly uses AA, United, Continental, US Airways, Delta, Southwest, and Virgin, right? So a lil more choices.

If they did take away from their own greed, they'd gain more credibility and respect from their employees, even if it was a few bucks. Our prime minister has stock in AC, so kinda alters some decisions too.

Flying to BC for a week AC on the 10th. Tell them naggers to settle up by the 17th so I dont have to find another way home!

If you're flying out of Toronto, post flight # and if I'm on shift, I can probably say hi lol

wh1te is the official rep of Air Canada here.

I rep by discounted airfare

 

[wh1te]

Lisa Raitt is a faggot. As most of Canadians already suspected would happen, she brought the union contract into her own hands. Clearly a major airline can't handle it's own labor relations and has to pussy out to rely on the government to do their job.

Good news for travelers, no strike on Monday, but its just delayed. She claims the economy is fragile, if you can afford AC tickets, you're most definitely not fragile.

With this, you think an on-time performance in your travels from the pilots and ground crew is gonna happen? Fair warning lol

 

[Brades]

Lisa Raitt is awesome.

 

[wh1te]

Awesome at destroying civilized negotiations. Abusing the power of the government. Do you not think it's unfair to have someone walk into your job and say "I don't work here, buuuuuuuut, you're all taking a paycut"

 

[jakksilves]

Awesome at destroying civilized negotiations. Abusing the power of the government. Do you not think it's unfair to have someone walk into your job and say "I don't work here, buuuuuuuut, you're all taking a paycut"

Anyone up for the old day Lynching?

 

[Glocky]

Does not mention it was only a 7% over 4 years, minor benefit changes to employees with 10+ yrs service, and these other increases is a whopping 6 mnths paid lunch retro pay (in a sense) and minor shift premiums for "certain" hours. It's like a movie trailer, only showing the half decent parts.

7% over 4 years is 1.75% per year... which is more than fed gov't ... we had a 4 year 1.5 / 1.5 / 1.75 / 2% that Harper revoked and made 1.5% x 4 (the irony is that the union pushed a strike to get more in the outlying years and then it just got legislated away)

Given the current financial climate, if the other stuff doesn't suck (i.e. job safety related issues), 1.75% is pretty good.

 

[thomastronics]

AC is vital to Canadian economy so yuh get to work hippie.

It was too obvious that she was going to step in.

 

[wh1te]

7% over 4 years is 1.75% per year... which is more than fed gov't ... we had a 4 year 1.5 / 1.5 / 1.75 / 2% that Harper revoked and made 1.5% x 4 (the irony is that the union pushed a strike to get more in the outlying years and then it just got legislated away)

Given the current financial climate, if the other stuff doesn't suck (i.e. job safety related issues), 1.75% is pretty good.

The 2% in year one (retro now) is the 1st sign of a raise in 11 years. So technically, it's 7% over 14 years. Kinda pathetic.

AC is vital to Canadian economy so yuh get to work hippie.

It was too obvious that she was going to step in.

We all knew she was going to step in, AC was relying on it. Air Canada toggled on

AC is vital to the economy yes, INCLUDING the people making it happen, not just passengers.

She brought up safety issues regarding blood/medical supplies and such, which is understandable, but you aware that these items are minimal to load factors going on an aircraft. Maybe 5% at tops for health supplies, compared to the other 95% luggage, and cargo(the money makers). Company doesn't care about those supplies, just using it as an excuse to force people back, and making them look good at the same time. They want to play the "safety" card? So can we by refusing unsafe.. anything (vehicles, job conditions, man power, training) stuff which sometimes we turn a blind eye to. Stuff will most likely move slower during your travels.

If this is such a fragile economy, as she stated, then why do people pay $1500-3000/ticket? When they can fly west jet for a couple hundred less? (for common places)

 

[OG buckshot jr]

I truly don't understand the complaint. Just like all of the government faggot workers who always want to strike, when there's millions of unemployed starving for work. Fire all their fuckin asses and hire new people for a Dollar less, without complaints.

Fuck 'em.

 

[thomastronics]

thats healthy competition bucky

 

[wh1te]

Just like all of the government faggot workers who always want to strike, when there's millions of unemployed starving for work. Fire all their fuckin asses and hire new people for a Dollar less, without complaints.

Fuck 'em.

Air Canada employees aren't government employees. So can't really compare. We just happen to be massive in numbers.

 

[OG buckshot jr]

I know they are not government employees, I only meant to group the two in terms of both 'having it made' and still whining, trying to squeeze more and more.

Since attaining my job as an IT administrator for the government of Ontario, I see first hand that 99% (this is truly no exaggeration, I promise you) of gov't employees do, literally, fuck all. They get paid pretty well compared to most relative jobs, but have bulletproof job security, amazing benefits and can just sit at their desks, talk, eat and shoot the shit until 4/5pm hits and they're off. Then they whine how their jobs are difficult, require too much effort, work conditions are harsh (cause, you know, a nice office with oak desks, nice A/C / furnace in each office, and massive bay Windows overlooking downtown Toronto isn't nice), and threaten strikes. Like, you guys fuckin serious?

In the case of the Airline industry, I actually held a short time job for AC, working customer service. I STARTED @ $26, but it was a contract that only lasted 6 months (I was covering a mat-leave), and my God, after hearing the things these people complained about - I would have KILLED to keep that job! And so I think that's my point: people are fuckin ungrateful for their job, and there's people like me who would GLADLY steal your shit for a dollar less per hour. Hell, you can even leave me *only* (lol) $1000 on foot care, I don't need the other $1000 lol.

 

[wh1te]

AC customer service's union was last year, they got a decent contract even with arbitration and government interference. Yes, they have a cushy job like you said, for the most part, and get paid well enough.

BUT

AC ramp/baggage/maintenance/cargo, this years union talks aren't as comforting as "office" work. I may gloat about the fact that I do nothing all day, but in truth, it's not all easy mode. Current union talks involve manual labour, not pen and paper pushing. More responsibility with passengers safety and lives come from the union representing themselves against the airline at this time.
We don't mess around when it comes to doing safety checks, baggage security, and passenger awareness. Our job requirements, for cargo and baggage alone, involve lifting of 5-75lb bags and pieces of random crap people decide to send that CSA's don't deal with.
Our base starting wage as baggage and cargo people is $10.80/hr so don't compare this to the $26 you see in customer service. I would kill for their rate for what I do.

 

[OG buckshot jr]

Hmm, point very well made, thank you for that, as I was ignorant to a lot of the facts you mention. Perhaps I'll have a read into the links you've posted before I can give any more input. :)

 

[wh1te]

No worries, a lot of people don't see that Air Canada has to deal with 4 separate unions. The pilots, flight attendants, customer service, AND ground handling (baggage/cargo/maintenance/cleaning).


http://www.cbc.ca/checkup/main-blog/2012/03/11/should-air-canada-employees-be-allowed-to-strike/

 

[Brades]

No worries, a lot of people don't see that Air Canada has to deal with 4 separate unions. The pilots, flight attendants, customer service, AND fags (baggage/cargo/maintenance/cleaning).


http://www.cbc.ca/checkup/main-blog/2012/03/11/should-air-canada-employees-be-allowed-to-strike/

fixed

 

[thomastronics]

Thanks brades

 

[jakksilves]

Division of departments and sections may be what is gutting them. You need 4 different unions to represent all the workers? Red Flag anyone?

Union = Bad. Make 1 Union with both employers and employees, instead of having so many parties cry and complain about the work environment. If its that bad, management and directors should be fired, or workers should have a career move. The rates are completely biased and unfair, the service is terrible, the amount of paperwork in bullshit and piss continues to pile up.

In this day and age, unemployment is terrible. Its going to get worse with people crying such as this. Fix up the problems or close shop. I'd prefer if the government would control this instead of a company who's not only gotten to the point of exhausting their resources, lets face it, they're not too bright.

 

[wh1te]

Division of departments and sections may be what is gutting them. You need 4 different unions to represent all the workers? Red Flag anyone?

4 different classifications, 4 different types of unions.

Make 1 Union with both employers and employees

wut? There wouldn't be a point to a union then, union is to protect the employees FROM the employers.

If its that bad, management and directors should be fired, or workers should have a career move.

wut? This has nothing to do with what's going on.

The rates are completely biased and unfair, the service is terrible, the amount of paperwork in bullshit and piss continues to pile up.

wut? You referring to ticket prices and non-related topics?

In this day and age, unemployment is terrible. Its going to get worse with people crying such as this.

wut? Immigrants and overseas manufacturing is causing unemployment to canadian citizens.

I'd prefer if the government would control this instead of a company who's not only gotten to the point of exhausting their resources, lets face it, they're not too bright.

wut? If you mean by "exhausting their resources", putting millions of dollars into their own wallets as bonuses and shares, then yea, they aren't too bright.