Air Canada has denied a regime of systematic sexual harassment and discrimination after a complaint was lodged with the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
In a 13-page complaint the Canadian Union of Public Employees alleged Air Canada has done nothing to curb rampant harassment of crew members.
CUPE lists a number of incidents such as flight attendants being forced to ‘strut their stuff’ in a ‘sexualized fashion show’ when trying the airline’s new uniform.
Women were also subjected to ‘degrading and discriminatory comments’ over appearance, the complaint says.
CUPE says assessment and training programs where management provide specialized training has ‘fostered a work environment of systemic discrimination and harassment’ with employees forced to take part in public critiques of their appearance.
Female employees were held to much more scrutiny over their appearance than male colleagues, it said.
CUPE even alleged sexual harassment of one of its own bargaining committee members by an Air Canada manger.
When it was reported no action was taken, as the manager ‘was going through a rough patch in his marriage’ at the time.
Air Canada refused to address individual issues in the complaint but vice president Renee Smith-Valade said there was ‘no basis in fact’ of the allegations, adding that the company has a ‘robust’ harassment prevention policy in place.
