The federal NDP is taking aim at what it calls an exploitative and outdated practice in the airline industry—unpaid labour by flight attendants.
On Parliament Hill, NDP MP Don Davies introduced legislation that would make it illegal for airlines to require flight attendants to work without pay during non-flying duties. That includes pre-flight safety demonstrations, boarding and deplaning assistance, and responding to health or safety issues on the ground.
The practice is common across the industry, with Canadian flight attendants averaging 35 hours of unpaid work each month. Approximately 80 per cent of them are women.
Davies was joined by NDP Labour Critic Alexandre Boulerice and CUPE 4091 President Natasha Stea in calling on the federal government to act. Stea says major airlines, despite earning billions in revenue, have for too long relied on unpaid labour while offering large salaries to top executives.
The bill marks a step toward ensuring flight attendants are paid for every minute they work, not just when the plane is in motion.
The proposed legislation is now under review in the House of Commons.
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