Porter Airlines cabin crew have filed an application with the Canada Industrial Relations Board to form a union, a move that could affect labour relations at the growing Canadian carrier.
The application, filed with support from the Canadian Union of Public Employees, seeks to certify a union to represent approximately 1,200 cabin crew members at Porter Airlines. CUPE submitted the certification request to the federal labour board on July 11.
The Canada Industrial Relations Board will now review the application and decide whether CUPE can become the legal bargaining agent for Porter’s flight attendants. If approved, the cabin crew would join Canada’s largest union and gain access to collective bargaining support.
Union highlights Porter’s growth
CUPE officials emphasized Porter’s business success as a reason cabin crew should share in the company’s achievements through union representation.
“Porter is an amazing Canadian success story, and cabin crew deserve to share in that success,” said CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick. “By voting to form their union with CUPE, Porter cabin crew are ensuring they have a strong voice in the workplace to keep making their jobs even better.”
National President Mark Hancock said the airline’s cabin crew deserve strong workplace representation.
“Porter cabin crew work hard to keep the public safe in the air and on the ground,” said CUPE National President Mark Hancock. “They deserve a best-in-class contract and union representation, and that’s exactly what they will get with CUPE.”
CUPE’s airline industry presence
The union currently represents 18,500 cabin crew across various Canadian airlines. CUPE has worked in the aviation sector for 40 years, negotiating improvements in wages, health and safety protections, cabin air quality standards, and duty day premiums.
The union has also worked to eliminate what it describes as restrictive and discriminatory uniform and grooming policies in the airline industry.
If the certification succeeds, Porter’s cabin crew would join CUPE’s existing airline membership, which includes flight attendants at carriers of various sizes across Canada.
The timing of the CIRB’s decision on the certification application has not been announced.
