TO THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD
Dear Sisters and Brothers:
RE: AIRLINE SENIORITY
I understand that over the last few days a number of you have been contacted by former Canadian Airlines (CAIL) flight attendants who want to discuss their seniority integration concerns.
You need to be aware that targeting NEB members and other CUPE locals is part of a very well organized campaign, the primary goal of which is to decertify from CUPE. Their campaign is full of unfounded accusations against CUPE National and the National President in particular.
I am sending you another copy of the Briefing Note you received at the February NEB meeting, but also want to highlight the key allegations they make.
1. They claim they have been ignored by CUPE National. The truth is that the airline merger issues (and especially the seniority integration issue) have had extensive attention from the National. This has included numerous meetings over the last year and a half with the elected leadership of the former CAIL Component. We facilitated all sorts of discussions in an attempt to resolve the seniority integration issue.
You should also know that a number of complaints to the Canada Industrial Relations Board regarding our representation have been dismissed as unfounded.
2. They say we don't deal with their concerns and complaints. The truth is that the hundreds of letters and phone calls to the National President are responded to. We sent you a copy previously of the basic response. I'm not sure what other explanation we can provide. Many of their letters call on the National President to overturn the arbitrator's decision. As you know, this can't be done.
3. They say that the National Office favors the former Air Canada Component and has provided more resources to AC than CAIL. The truth is that the agreement to refer seniority integration to arbitration specifically required that National not take a position. CUPE National would be in violation of that agreement if we were to take sides with one over the other.
The legal bills of the former CAIL Component to be represented at the seniority arbitration are paid by the new Air Canada Component.
Last year, the NEB approved the provision of $50,000 to the former AC Component to assist in dealing with a backlog of grievances. This had nothing to do with seniority integration. The former CAIL Component was provided with the services of a National Representative to assist with their backlog of grievances, and this continues to this day.
4. They say that CUPE National no longer supports the concept of seniority. This is ridiculous. Of course, we support seniority as a fundamental right of workers. The disagreement between the two components arose because they couldn't agree on the way seniority should be calculated. As you know, Locals often calculate seniority differently. That is why CUPE National respects the Local/Component's autonomy to make these decisions.
As you know, I am assigned as the key contact person in the National President's Office to deal with airline issues. If you'd like to get more information either before or after you talk with the former CAIL members, please don't hesitate to call.
Most importantly, I wanted you to know that you are being targeted as part of a strategic campaign to make CUPE look bad, which will assist in their campaign to decertify from CUPE.
In solidarity,
SUSAN RUFFO's signature
Executive Assistant to the
National President.