From January 3rd to 5th a brand new interactive pop-up on Queen Street will show how bad flying could get for passengers and how bad things already are for flight attendants. The Unfair Canada parody experience shows an exaggerated look at the airline’s corporate greed with a set of “new features”.
“Everyone has their frustrations with flying, but for us as flight attendants, working hundreds of unpaid hours shoots to the top of the list,” said Wesley Lesosky, President of the Air Canada Component of CUPE, the union representing 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge.
“Flight attendants are largely only paid while the flight is in motion, working for free while boarding, deplaning and carrying out critical safety checks,” said Lesosky. “As we head into contract negotiations, we want to show Air Canada they need to give their workers the respect and the proper pay they deserve.”
Visitors can see how the planes no longer have seats (you have to stand like it’s a bus), the new drink size which is served from an eye dropper, and the updated carry-on requirements (you can’t even bring your phone).
“As workers, we’re at a breaking point,” said Lesosky. “We know how frustrating flying with Air Canada can be for everyone, and we want people to know we’re right there with them – often unpaid.”
While at the pop-up, visitors can send an email to Air Canada, demanding they start paying their flight attendants properly. The pop-up is just one part of the national Unfair Canada campaign to end unpaid work.
The pop-up is open at 938 Queen St W from January 3rd to 5th, 11am-7pm.