Human-rights complaint filed by Air Canada union
TORONTO — The union representing Air Canada flight attendants has filed a human-rights complaint alleging “systemic discrimination and harassment” of its members.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees said the airline’s policies on uniforms and makeup are discriminatory toward female flight attendants on the basis of sex, sexual orientation and race. It said the company’s new onboard service managers, who perform in-flight assessments of flight attendants, have made sexist, racist and homophobic remarks and have engaged in “inappropriate behaviour” toward flight attendants of both sexes.
The union that represents 8,500 flight attendants at Air Canada and Rouge is turning to the Canadian Human Rights Commission because Air Canada has failed to deal with members’ complaints, said CUPE section vice-president Beth Mahan. It is asking the commission to order a review of Air Canada policies and eliminate the onboard service managers program.
Last month, WestJet Airlines filed an appeal after the Supreme Court of British Columbia refused to throw out a proposed class-action lawsuit that accuses the company of fostering a corporate culture that tolerates harassment against female employees.
Former flight attendant Mandalena Lewis is suing WestJet over allegations of gender-based discrimination, accusing her former employer of breaking its promise to provide a harassment-free workplace for women.