Air Canada cancels flights ahead of strike by thousands of flight attendants
The work stoppage is set to begin just before 1 am EDT (10:30 am IST) on Saturday, potentially grounding operations at the country's largest carrier during peak summer travel.
Mark Nasr, Air Canada's Chief Operations Officer, said the airline has started a gradual suspension of both Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operations to allow for an 'orderly restart,' as per AP, which under the best circumstances would take a week.
The first wave of cancellations on Thursday targeted long-haul overseas routes, impacting several dozen flights. By Friday, Nasr estimated cancellations would affect over 100,000 customers, with 500 flights scrapped by day's end. A complete grounding, expected Saturday, could leave about 25,000 Canadians abroad without a way home.
Passengers on canceled flights will be eligible for full refunds, and Air Canada is arranging alternatives with other carriers 'to the extent possible,' Nasr said, according to AP.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) says, as per AP, the dispute centers on 'poverty wages' and unpaid labour for duties performed when planes are not in the air, such as boarding and airport standby. At a news conference Thursday, some flight attendants held signs reading 'Unpaid work won't fly' and 'Poverty wages = UnCanadian.'
Air Canada's Chief Human Resources Officer Arielle Meloul-Wechsler said the latest offer includes a 38 per cent total compensation increase, including benefits and pensions over four years. She said the company has reached a deadlock but remains open to talks and consensual mediation.
The union, however, rejected binding mediation, preferring to negotiate a contract its members can vote on.
Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu has urged both sides to return to the bargaining table, reported AP, stressing that 'deals are best made at the bargaining table.' She has asked the union to respond to the airline's arbitration request but stopped short of announcing direct government intervention.
(With inputs from Reuters, AP)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
US senator Hawley launches probe into Meta AI policies
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills US Senator Josh Hawley launched a probe into Facebook parent Meta Platforms artificial intelligence policies on Friday, demanding documents on rules that had allowed its artificial intelligence chatbots to "engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual."Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress have expressed alarm over the rules outlined in an internal Meta document first reported by Reuters on a Republican from Missouri, chairs the Senate subcommittee on crime and counterterrorism, which will investigate "whether Meta's generative-AI products enable exploitation, deception, or other criminal harms to children, and whether Meta misled the public or regulators about its safeguards," he said in a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg "We intend to learn who approved these policies, how long they were in effect, and what Meta has done to stop this conduct going forward," Hawley declined to comment on Hawley's letter on Friday. The company said previously that "the examples and notes in question were and are erroneous and inconsistent with our policies, and have been removed."In addition to documents outlining those changes and who authorized them, Hawley sought earlier drafts of the policies along with internal risk reports, including on minors and in-person meetups. Reuters reported on Thursday about a retired man who died while traveling to New York on the invitation of a Meta must also disclose what it has told regulators about its generative AI protections for young users or limits on medical advice, according to Hawley's has often criticized Big Tech. He held a hearing in April on Meta's alleged attempts to gain access to the Chinese market which were referenced in a book by former Facebook executive Sarah Wynn-Williams.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Drama in Pakistan cricket continues as players reportedly face pay cut after ODI series loss in West Indies
The Pakistan cricket team has been facing a barrage of criticism after suffering their first ODI series defeat against West Indies in over three decades with a 202-run thrashing earlier this week. Senior members of the Pakistan cricket team including Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan had pressurised the PCB to include 3 per cent of their ICC revenue share in player contracts. Reuters The Pakistan cricket team has been facing a barrage of criticism after suffering their first ODI series loss against West Indies in 34 years, with Mohammad Rizwan's men capitulating to a 202-run defeat after getting bundled out for a lowly 92. Not only has the lopsided loss put seniors including 50-over captain Rizwan and Babar Azam in the spotlight, newly-appointed white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has also been targeted with some questioning his credentials. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Babar, Rizwan and others could lose part of their wages As if the criticism isn't enough, there's more trouble in store for Babar and Rizwan and others as they face a pay cut in the aftermath of Pakistan's poor run this year. The Men in Green had, after all, crashed out of the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year without a single win and winning just one out of three Tests this year. According to a report on Cricket Pakistan, the Mohsin Naqvi-led Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to remove the clause from the players' central contract which includes 3 per cent of the revenue that the board gets from the International Cricket Council. The senior players had pressurised the board to distribute 3 per cent of their earnings from the ICC among the players two years ago. And the manner in which the Pakistanis have struggled to make an impact across formats in recent months, it is likely that the board might remove the clause for good. Pakistan have been performing relatively better in the T20I format under Salman Agha's leadership, having won the 20-over leg of their tour of the Caribbean 2-1. Agha had been named 20-over skipper in March during the tour of New Zealand, with Pakistan winning nine and losing as many in the format since then. The spin-bowling all-rounder will be hoping to lead Pakistan to victory in the upcoming Asia Cup, which returns to the T20 format in the UAE next month, in order to boost his chances of being named captain across formats – replacing Shan Masood and Rizwan in Tests and ODIs respectively.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Air Canada Halts Operations As Thousands Of Cabin Crew Walk Off In Strike At Major Airports
Air Canada has urged affected passengers not to travel unless they have confirmed tickets on other airlines Air Canada suspended most of its operations on Saturday after more than 10,000 flight attendants went on strike, disrupting travel for tens of thousands of passengers during the busy summer season. The strike began early Saturday morning after the union and airline failed to reach a deal. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing the flight attendants, confirmed the work stoppage on social media. This is the first strike by Air Canada flight attendants since 1985. The dispute centres on wages and working conditions. Flight attendants are currently paid only when the plane is moving. The union demands compensation for time spent on the ground between flights and while helping passengers board. Air Canada had offered a 38% total pay increase over four years, including a 25% raise in the first year, but the union says this offer falls short. Hundreds of striking employees formed picket lines outside major Canadian airports, including Toronto Pearson, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver. The airline said it suspended the majority of its 700 daily flights, affecting about 130,000 passengers each day. Flights operated by regional affiliates like Air Canada Jazz and PAL Airlines continued as usual. The strike comes amid a bitter contract fight. The union rejected Air Canada's request for government-imposed arbitration, which would have removed their right to strike and allowed a third party to set contract terms. Air Canada has urged affected passengers not to travel unless they have confirmed tickets on other airlines. The airline is also asking the Canadian government to intervene, but the union insists on a negotiated settlement. Canada's Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu has urged both sides to return to talks. The Canada Labour Code allows the government to impose binding arbitration if needed to protect the economy. Analysts warn the strike could damage Air Canada's finances in its most critical quarter. They urge both sides to find a peaceful resolution to avoid prolonged disruption. The strike not only affects Canadian travellers but also has wider implications, as Air Canada is the busiest foreign airline serving the US market by scheduled flights. (With inputs from agencies) view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
