Dear Members,     

The Occupational Health and Safety Committee (OHS) and Executive Team continue to hear your concerns about extreme cabin temperatures. Extreme temperatures pose health and safety risks to all of us and our guests. We appreciate that the Employer is engaged on this topic, however, with little progress on this issue it remains concerning, especially during the record high temperatures we are experiencing this summer. It is the Employer’s responsibility to protect its workforce, and the Union will continue to advocate for this on your behalf.   

In summer 2022 there were 120 reports regarding unsafe cabin temperatures.  In September 2022, the Employer had a working group looking into the root causes and corrective actions. To date, the only resolution communicated is to lower window shades and open the air vents, yet this does not address the larger concerns of extreme cabin temperatures. This project is still in progress and there will hopefully be additional direction from the Employer.  

On August 6th to 12th, the Union will distribute simple keychain thermometers in the bases (YEG, YHM, YVR, YYC, YYZ).  The thermometer will help you to provide data-based information in the IHRs and to make informed decisions. When attached to your luggage, it will be a reminder for oneself and your colleagues to submit IHRs on busy days.   This is not intended to be a precise piece of equipment.  

This will also be a great opportunity to engage with your Union about your rights under the Canada Labour Code, with respect to dangerous work. 

Recommended Actions while on Duty & Proactive Conversations:  

• Discuss during the Crew Briefing (mitigating strategies, is the APU or ground air being used) 

• Discuss effects of extreme cabin temperatures 

• Communicate with each other (CCM to CCM, CCM to Pilot, CCM to Guests, CCM to Airports/Ground Staff) 

• Onboard announcements to lower window shades and open air vents  

Should you experience an Extreme Cabin Temp-anytime the temperature registers below 18° C or above 29° C in the cabin or anytime temperature feels unsafe or unmanageable even within that range:

• Advise the Lead and/or Captain of the concerns

• Submit an IHR

  • The more detailed the better, such as the various stages of cabin temperatures and steps you took, ex. communicating with the Pilots. Please remember to document each occurrence even if it’s a recurrence. 

• Inform the Union, click here.  The more reports that your OHS Committee gets, the more power they have to continue to apply pressure on the Employer to resolve unmanageable circumstances

Please be advised that you have the Right to Refuse dangerous work if all these steps do not lead to a reasonable solution.  Please review the link here for the Right to Refuse dangerous work or Pamphlet here.