Thank you to all who have shown support for organizing a union. This is a big job, and we are so grateful to everyone who contributes.
Throughout the drive, employees have been actively working with two representatives from CUPE. Both have worked as flight attendants and both have experience organizing unions at airlines.
We know there are questions about “what happens now” and we wanted to provide some insight into the union certification process.
The unionization process:
- Obtaining the basics: As mentioned, the employee group has been actively working on the important groundwork we need to ensure a successful unionization drive. This includes building an accurate list of employees that would make up our future bargaining unit. Having an accurate list and knowing the total number of employees will give us a clear understanding of the number of signed supporters we need to submit to the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB).
- Membership cards: The first step in unionizing is the collection of membership applications and the respective initiation fee. Signing a membership card and paying the required $5.00 fee, will be your way to express your support for the union.When a majority of workers sign a card, an application to the CIRB can be filed and it will trigger the formal process of unionization.Membership cards are only valid for 6-months after the first signature. Ideally, we want file before the expiration of any signatures however, it may be necessary to ask employees to re-sign should timelines be delayed.We do not want to file prematurely because if we file without all of the information the Board needs or if we file without enough support, the Board could dismiss our application and we may have to wait 6 more months before filing a new application.It is because of these limitations and rules that our organized work must be completed before we apply.
- Application Process: After submitting an application, the CIRB acknowledges receipt and begins its process, including:
- Notifying the employer, employees and other affected persons of the application. The employer must post the Notice to Employees and the application for certification in the workplace for 15 calendar days in a place that can be seen by all employees affected by the application.
- Conducting investigations and holding hearings to make sure the union applied at the right time, with the necessary level of employee support, and according to the established requirements;
- Making sure the group of employees in question is a unit that is appropriate for collective bargaining;
- If the union can show that a majority of employees (50 percent + 1) support it, then the Board may grant the application and certify the union without a vote. This is often the case when the application is not disputed. If the union can show that between 35 and 50 percent of employees support it, then the Board will order that a vote of employees be held. If a majority of employees vote yes, a union is certified.
- Issuing certificates for successful applications.
- Establishing the Local: If the majority of employees vote in favor of union representation, the CIRB will issue the certificate and you and your colleagues will become a recognized bargaining unit.The new local will be assigned a CUPE servicing representative who will work to support the new local to establish things like elected officers, local bylaws and file the notice to bargain to the employer, triggering the process to commence negotiations. This phase is aimed at establishing a collective agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of employment.
We respect your right to make decisions that affect your workplace, and we are committed to ensuring a fair and respectful unionization process.
If you haven’t already done so, you can easily sign a union membership card directly on our website CUPE: The union for Lynx Flight Attendants.
Signing an electronic membership card is a 3-step process.
- Click the Sign a card – CUPE – the union for Lynx flight attendants link at the top of the home page.
- Click “Get started signing your union card” and input your information – name and email – and request an electronic card.
- Once you request the electronic card, you will need to go back and click the PayPal icon to pay the $5.00 initiation fee. You do not need a PayPal account to pay.
**Note – your electronic card will be sent to you via email from Adobe sign (adobesign@adobesign.com). Please check your junk mail or spam folder if you cannot find it in your inbox. If you cannot find it, please respond to this email and a new electronic card will be sent out.**
We hope this communication provides some insight into what has been going on. The organizing work continues.
Please help up get this done so Lynx Cabin Crew Members can finally get the legal representation they deserve.