Main Cabin Door: August Update

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The union would like to update the membership on our ongoing advocacy for your safety regarding the Main Cabin Door tasking.  Below you will find a breakdown of the facts, the union's concerns and position and our advocacy for safer work for our member over the last few weeks.    

FACTS

  • The Company recently assigned closing the main cabin door (MCD) to CSAs in Airports without consulting the Union or providing opportunity for real feedback on workload, safety implications, or feasibility.
  • This physically demanding, safety-critical task has led to rise in reported injuries since implementation.
  • Physical Demands Analysis (PDA) for CSAs and ALCs was conducted after training began and injuries occurred. A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) for ALCs still does not exist.
  • Pristine Conditioning Training is a requirement before performing MCD closing tasks.  
  • The Airport Learning Coordinators have experienced the majority of injuries and since then, with union advocacy, the company has adapted the training requirements of the ALCs.  The ALCs were experiencing injuries due to the repetitive nature of the training.  The ALCs were initially required to repeat the door closures to demonstrate to the CSAs. Changes have since been made for ALCs (less repetition, probe removed), but CSAs must still close with the probe in place.  Since the implementation of this step, injuries have decreased among the ALC team.  
  • The CSA Airports team will only be required to close the MCD when they are the last ones at the Aircraft.  Other operational partners such as groomers, AMEs etc. are also responsible.  

THE UNION'S KEY CONCERNS

  • CSAs already have heavy operational and safety-sensitive duties. Adding MCD closure increases physical strain and risk.
  • The Union had been receiving weekly antidotal reports from members about injuries when training first rolled out.  This has drastically decreased in the last few weeks.  Some reported injuries were due pre-existing physical conditions that were not disclosed prior to training.
  • The current POET requirement when hiring new CSAs is only being able to lift 50 lbs. ground-to-waist does not reflect the force or physical ability needed to close certain doors.

UNION POSITION

  • We are requiring the Company provide monthly reported hazards and injury data be shared directly to the President from the Policy Health and Safety Committee.
  • All three Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees have been instructed to raise concerns at their meetings last month / this  month.  
  • We are requesting full collaboration with the Company on any future operational changes impacting duties, workload, or safety.
  • Completion of a JHA for ALCs and review/update of hiring/physical requirements to reflect MCD demands must be completed ASAP.  

MEETING UPDATES

  • Corporate Occupational Health and Safety Policy Meeting was held on Thursday, August 14, 2025.  Agenda item included Main Cabin Door process and a review of the injuries, types of injuries and trends were discussed.  President,  Karen Berry and OHS Co-Chair from YYZ were in attendance.
  • President, Karen Berry met with Dave Powell (VP Airports) on Friday, August 15 to review the union's concerns and he acknowledged there were rollout flaws and agreed injuries are unacceptable.
  • The company acknowledged that the roll out of training was too physically demanding initially; adjustments have been made for ALCs training and they have seen a drastic decrease in reporting.  This is the first time in a very long time that a physically demanding task has been introduced to the CSA group.  
  • The reason for the change in the MCD door closing process is linked to increased aircraft rodent evidence and costly aircraft treatments which included sending 2 aircrafts to Toronto that were sealed and pumped full of CO2 for 2 days to kill anything on board.  
  • YVR is no longer baiting rats with poison as it is not permitted so the rat population has been increasing
  • YVR is not the only source of rodents and birds getting into the aircrafts
  • Dave agreed to improve communication with the airports employees, share lessons learned, and the "why" behind the change in his next Boarding Call (out this Friday, August 22) .
  • Dave and Karen reviewed injury stats together and there appears to be a discrepancy in reports provided by the Policy Committee and other sources. He will be providing the union with an updated, accurate report as soon as possible for our review.    
  • Dave has committed to meeting with the Union in early September to review August numbers.  

NEXT STEPS

  • YVR has completed the majority of training, YYC will be training into the new schedule, YYZ has only trained their overnight CSAs and the GSLs with CSA training starting the week of August 18.
  • The union has requested that injury data be provided to me monthly by the the company's Corporate Health and Safety Advisor.
  • The union has requested confirmation from the company to address communication gaps with bases and explain operational reasoning (“the why”) to employees.
  • This is a standing agenda item for Corporate Health & Safety Policy Committee, with injury data and training updates to be reviewed by the committee in November.  

If we don't see a decrease in injuries by the beginning of September, we will pressure the company to pause on the MCD closures until injury rates drop and safety procedures are fully validated. At this time, the Company admits rollout issues but has not agreed to a pause. Monthly data sharing and improved transparency are critical to protecting members. As soon as we have more information to share, we will.

YOUR SAFETY

  • If you are feeling unsafe, identify your concerns to your ALC and leader, explaining what the issue is.
  • Reach out to your Base Unit Chair to report any concerns you have expressed to the Company during training.
  • Do not perform any duties if you feel unsafe.