Ottawa needs more data to probe unpaid work claims at airlines

Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu says an initial federal probe found no broad evidence of unpaid work across the airline sector but investigators need more detailed payroll data from airlines and unions to resolve remaining questions.

Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu says her department needs more information from airlines and unions to settle allegations of unpaid work by flight attendants. The comment follows the release of initial findings from a probe launched six months earlier after an Air Canada flight attendants' labour dispute. The first phase did not find evidence that compensation practices broadly violate the Labour Code's minimum-wage test, but it flagged part-time and entry-level compensation for closer examination. Officials also reported one possible underpayment at a small northern airline and said that employer is working with the department. Key findings and status: - Investigators heard anecdotes from union members about unpaid time that could not be fully verified against payroll records. - The initial review did not find systemic shortfalls across the airline sector under the Labour Code test. - The report recommended closer examination of compensation for many part-time and entry-level flight attendants and noted one potential underpayment at a small northern carrier. - The department plans a meeting later this month with airline and union representatives, has asked carriers to self-audit pay records, and said it can order records or impose penalties if parties do not comply. Summary: The probe's first phase left questions unresolved because the payroll data provided did not fully corroborate some union accounts. The department will convene industry and union representatives later this month and has asked airlines for self-audits; officials say they can order records or take enforcement steps if necessary.