Canada’s flight attendants urged the federal government to rethink a proposal to introduce regulations that would reduce the number of flight attendants on a flight. In a presentation to the Transport Department Thursday (May 22) CUPE Airline Division President Michel Cournoyer and Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Officer Julie Pelletier outlined the attendants’ concerns.
Current Canadian regulations require one flight attendant for every 40 passengers, but as part of the changes the government is hoping to introduce, commercial airlines would have a second option of one flight attendant for every 50 passenger seats, whether or not those seats are occupied.
Last year the union raised the safety issues of reducing the number of flight attendants in a campaign called “Emergency – Brake for Impact!” and outlined its concerns: “Without any involvement by Parliamentarians, Transport Canada is willing to take a chance on the safety of airline passengers by reducing the number of flight attendants on board. Ask your MP to oppose this change.”
More information:
CBC News – Flight attendants resist Transport Canada’s move to cut their numbers – here
Toronto Star – Flight attendants warn proposed safety ratio change risky – here
Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council (CARAC) information – here
CUPE safety campaign – Voice your concerns: Tell your MP not to gamble with passenger safety – here
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