Flight attendants’ union fighting proposed rule to reduce staff on aircraft

A tussle took place in Ottawa on Thursday that could mean you'll be saying "bah-bye" to fewer flight attendants when you get off your next plane ride.

Airlines want Transport Canada to change its rules on the minimum number of flight attendants required on certain kinds of aircraft.

The industry argues changing the ratio of one flight attendant for every 40 passengers to 1:50 simply would match Canadian airlines to the current international standard.

But the union representing flight attendants argues the change presents a potential safety risk in the event of an accident by leaving emergency exits on some planes unstaffed, the Globe and Mail reported.

“Since Transport Canada is now willing to take a chance on passenger safety, we think it is time for the House of Commons standing committee on transport, infrastructure and communities to launch a public inquiry of a proposed regulatory change that will put airline passengers at risk,” CUPE Airline Division president Michel Cournoyer told reporters.

The union, industry representatives and industry experts met Thursday with the Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council, Transport Canada's rule-making consultative body.

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The union put out a news release in advance of the meeting calling on people to contact their MPs to oppose the change. Apparently it's about more than how fast the drinks trolley gets to your seat.

"Fewer flight attendants will mean fewer safety professionals on board to take care of the passengers in emergency situations, including evacuations, security incidents and dealing with unruly passengers," the union said.

The National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents the major airlines, said in a statement Thursday it supports the change because it would harmonize Canadian rules with the international standard used by U.S. and European carriers, the Globe said.

This week's meeting was spurred by decisions by Transport Canada last year to grant WestJet and holiday charter carrier Sunwing exemptions to the 1:40 ratio. The government decided rather than continue to issue piecemeal exemptions it would look at the overall rule, CBC News said.

The industry first raised the question in 2002 but in 2006 the government rejected making any changes at that time, saying it was still studying the issue.

The current 1:40 ratio has been in place since 1968, the Globe said. Any change would also involve additional requirements regarding flight attendant training and evacuation demonstrations.

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The current regime already allows aircraft holding 50 passengers or less to fly with a single attendant.

The airlines have argued reducing the number of flight attendants would not compromise safety nor result in layoffs, and the higher ratio would still apply to international flights using wide-body aircraft where each emergency exit must be staffed by a flight attendant, the Globe said.

CUPE, which represents 10,000 flight attendants in eight carriers, has already challenged the Sunwing exemption in Federal Court.

While saying safety, rather than protecting jobs, was the issue, Cournoyer estimated 600 flight attendant positions could be lost if the change is implemented, the Globe said.