Are profits more important than common sense?
from the Canadian Union of Public Employees
The Harper Conservatives are putting corporate profits ahead of the safety of airline passengers, says CUPE National President Paul Moist.
"Not only is the 1 to 50 flight attendant/passenger ratio exemption granted to WestJet May 6 dangerous, but it is the tip of the iceberg," said Moist. "The Harper government is now ready to change regulations for all airlines and take a chance on the safety and security of all airline passengers."
Michael Cournoyer, president of CUPE's airline division noted that flight attendants "are safety professionals. On board, these women and men are firefighters, policemen, and nurses. In an emergency situation, all the flight attendants are esseential to ensure the safety and security of passengers."
The current attendant/passenger ratio is 1 to 40. In announcing the Westjet exemption, the government indicated it is prepared to change the regulations for all carriers.
"Fewer flight attendants means lower safety and more risk for passengers, especially in the post-9/11 era, said Moist. "Even the Harper government used to recognize that. Why such a dangerous reversal in the government position? Certainly, the reality on board in emergency situations has not changed."
“Fewer flight attendants means lower safety and more risk for passengers, especially in the post-9/11 era,” said Moist.
Cournoyer said the Air France Airbus accident at Pearson Airport in August of 2005 "highlighted the essential role played by highly-trained flight attendants, as well as the need to have a sufficient number of these safety professionals on board."
"For the Harper government," said Moist, "it now seems that airline companies' profits are more important than common sense. With such high stakes for airline passengers, the federal government should not act unilaterally. We are asking the federal government to hold public consultations. Hopefully, the security priority will prevail."
About Canadian Union of Public Employees
With 618,000 members across Canada, CUPE represents workers in health care, education, municipalities, libraries, universities, social services, public utilities, transportation, emergency services and airlines.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.