Originally Posted by
Lost In Saigon
Actually it is Air Canada that is shooting themselves in the foot with their confrontational management style.
Air Canada labour relations have been steadily going down hill since Milton appeared on the scene and it has now reached a new low.
They are relying on the Conservative Government to take care of the terrible labour relations they have with their own employees. So far it is not working very well.
The employees just want a negotiated settlement like any other employee has the right to. The Pilots and the Machinists are showing that they are not going to take this lying down.
Even with forced arbitration, there is not going to be labour peace and a productive workforce.
I was speaking as an outsider, who apart from liking to travel, has no connections to the airline industry.
From those looking in, it would appear that the following is taking place
Baggage handlers are striking today (illegally) - Viewed as Not AC's fault to those who dont know the inner workings of Air Canada and its labour relations.
Pilots (wheither this actually happened or not is debatable) calling in sick to work, also not viewed as AC's fault by the general travelling public.
Look at some of the threads on here
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-c...ights-yul.html as to who people on this site are blaming.
Is AC coming off scot free, of course not. It is apparent to most on this board that labour relations are not that great at the airline, but it would appear that many here, most media and in turn the majority of the travelling public view this as AC employees inconveniencing their travels. AC is helping their case by coming out with statements saying that the majority of their employees are hard at work. Look at CTV.ca and you will see a picture of a man spitting in one of the strikers faces. While I dont condone that at all, people do crazy things and jump to crazy conclusions when they are stressed, tired and inconvenienced. I am no expert, but I think sitting on a plane for an hour on the tarmac, then waiting for a bag for two hours while employees are striking illegally might just cause those symptoms.
The smartest thing they could do is go back to work, as an illegal strike is grounds for termination if I am not mistaken.