Source: Elines

The variable staffing model has been harmonized and becomes effective as of August 1, 2018. This new model defines domestic and international staffing break points. As provided for in our JCBA, Section 7.Z.1.2. the provision is outlined as follows:

Staffing

1. The Company shall have established staffing guidelines (“ESG”) to determine the number of Flight Attendants to be assigned to flights. The Company shall publish the ESG in the Flight Attendant Policies and Procedures Manual. A reasonable effort will be made by the Company to monitor and staff consistent with the ESG. 

2. The MEC President or her/his designee and the Senior Vice President of Inflight or her/his designee shall hold regular quarterly meetings to discuss the Company’s rationale(s) for the ESG standards and consider input from the Union on staffing issues. When the Company is planning to make changes to the existing ESG or establish new staffing guidelines, the Company shall provide notice to the Union prior to implementation. The Company further agrees that the Senior Vice President of Inflight or her/his designee shall meet at the request of the MEC President or her/his designee at a mutually agreeable time to consider the Union’s input when: (1) the Company is considering changes to the ESG; or (2) the Company plans to place into service a new aircraft type or series, or a new configuration of an existing aircraft type or series that may impact Flight Attendant staffing. Once the Company has finalized any changes to the ESG or new staffing guidelines, it will communicate them in a clear and timely manner to the Union and the Flight Attendants.

The harmonized staffing model will be used to create established staffing guidelines (ESG), which will be published in the August revision of the Inflight Policies and Procedures Manual.

Staffing points will be as follows:

Domestic flights - There will be no variable staffing points.

International flights – Vary by cabin

• Premium cabin: There will be no variable staffing points.
• Economy cabin: An additional flight attendant will be added to flights when the occupancy of the cabin is 80 percent or more.

For the 777-300 aircraft, there is an additional staffing break point where, when the cabin occupancy is at 90% or more, the company will add an additional (13th) Flight Attendant to support the service.