Air Canada flight attendants on strike, airline's flights cancelled
Although the government hasn't said it will intervene, the union seemed to imply throughout the week that the writing could be on the wall.
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CUPE accused Air Canada of refusing to bargain in good faith 'due to the likelihood of the federal government using Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to interfere in negotiations and have a contract imposed by an outside third-party arbitrator.'
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The union has said its main sticking points revolve around wages that have been outpaced by inflation during the course of its previous 10-year contract, along with unpaid labour when planes aren't in the air.
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'Air Canada still refuses to compensate flight attendants for all hours worked,' said CUPE's press release.
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'The union has been firm: all safety-related duties should be paid at full hourly rate. Air Canada does not agree. On wages, Air Canada's last offer will still leave flight attendants living below poverty levels for many years to come.'
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On Friday, the union released polling by Abacus Data indicating that 59 per cent of Canadians believe the federal government should respect flight attendants' right to take job action, even if it causes travel disruptions.
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The weighted survey of 1,500 respondents, conducted Thursday and Friday, said 88 per cent of Canadians believe flight attendants should be paid for all work-related duties including boarding, delays and safety checks.
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Four-in-five respondents said they support raising flight attendant pay to meet the rising cost-of-living.
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Air Canada has said its latest proposal included a 38 per cent increase in total compensation over four years, including a new provision for ground pay 'that is industry-leading in Canada.'
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The proposal would provide 'significant improvements' to health benefits and pension plans, an increase to paid vacation and measures to address union concerns about rest and work-life balance, the airline said.
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'It will make Air Canada flight attendants the best compensated in Canada,' the company said, adding its cabin crew already earn up to $17 more per hour than their counterparts at Air Canada's largest domestic competitor.
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Air Canada cancelled more than 600 flights over the past two days in preparation for a potential work stoppage, affecting 100,000 passengers.
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It said it will notify customers with imminent travel of additional cancelled flights and their options.
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The airline has said passengers whose flights are cancelled will be offered a full refund or the opportunity to change their travel plans without a fee.
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It added it strongly advises affected customers not to go to the airport unless they have a confirmed ticket on an airline other than Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge.
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As for Pringnitz and her family, she noted there was an option for travellers to go the United States. but was told there wouldn't be any further assistance once they landed in the U.S.
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Cision Canada
24 minutes ago
- Cision Canada
Air Canada suspends third quarter and full year 2025 guidance Français
MONTRÉAL, Aug. 18, 2025 /CNW/ - Air Canada is suspending its guidance for third quarter and full-year 2025 operating results due to the effects of the labour disruption by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the resulting suspension of all flights. On August 17, 2025, the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) directed Air Canada to resume airline operations and for all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants to resume their duties by 14:00 EDT on August 17, 2025. The CIRB further ordered that the term of the collective agreement between Air Canada and CUPE that expired on March 31, 2025, be extended to include the period beginning on April 1, 2025 and ending on the day on which the new collective agreement between the parties comes into effect. The CIRB also imposed final binding arbitration to resolve the outstanding terms of the collective agreement. The arbitration procedure would be addressed in the coming days and weeks. Later, on August 17, 2025, CUPE illegally directed its flight attendant members to defy the direction from the CIRB to return to work resulting in Air Canada suspending its plan to resume limited flying by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge. Given the effects of the labour disruption and related impact on operations, Air Canada is suspending its guidance for third quarter and full-year 2025 operating results provided in its July 28, 2025 news release. Air Canada deeply regrets the impact the labour disruption has had on its customers, its stakeholders and the communities it serves. About Air Canada Air Canada is Canada's largest airline, the country's flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada's Aeroplan program is Canada's premier travel loyalty program, where members can earn or redeem points on the world's largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers more travel choices than any other Canadian tour operator to hundreds of destinations worldwide, with a wide selection of hotels, flights, cruises, day tours, and car rentals. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada's passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada's climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. For additional information, please see Air Canada's TCFD disclosure. Air Canada shares are publicly traded on the TSX in Canada and the OTCQX in the US. This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions and are subject to important risks and uncertainties, which are amplified in the current environment. Forward-looking statements cannot be relied upon due to, among other things, changing external events and general uncertainties of the business of Air Canada. Actual results may differ materially from results indicated in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those identified in section 18 "Risk Factors" of Air Canada's 2024 MD&A and in section 14 "Risk Factors" of Air Canada's Second Quarter 2025 MD&A. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent Air Canada's expectations as of the date of this news release (or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made) and are subject to change after such date. However, Air Canada disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.
Global News
2 hours ago
- Global News
Air Canada cancels plans to resume flights Sunday as union defies back-to-work order
Air Canada says it is cancelling hundreds of additional flights on Sunday after the union representing its flight attendants announced the workers would remain on strike in defiance of a back-to-work order. The Canadian Union of Public Employees said it will challenge an order by the Canada Industrial Relations Board to return to work by 2 p.m. ET. 'Our members are not going back to work,' CUPE National president Mark Hancock said outside Toronto's Pearson Airport. 'We are saying no.' Union members were picketing outside the airport's departures terminal on Sunday morning. In a statement on Sunday afternoon, the airline said CUPE 'illegally directed its flight attendant members to defy a direction' from the industrial relations board. As a result, Air Canada said it will plan to resume flights as of Monday evening. About 240 flights that were scheduled to take off on Sunday were cancelled. Story continues below advertisement The federal government said Saturday that it was ordering the airline and its flight attendants back to work, ending a strike and lockout after less than 12 hours. Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said she was invoking Section 107 of the Labour Code to ask the Canada Industrial Relations Board to send the two sides to binding arbitration. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Hajdu's office did not respond immediately to a request for comment about the union defying the back-to-work order on Sunday. Hancock said the union received notice from the CIRB late Saturday, informing them of the impending return to work. He said the union felt the 'whole process has been unfair.' 'Air Canada has really refused to bargain with us, and they refused to bargain with us because they knew this government would come in on their white horse and try and save the day,' he said. Air Canada said more than 700 Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights had been cancelled during the work stoppage as of Saturday. The strike has left thousands of passengers stranded or struggling to find ways to reach their destinations. The airline said it will offer people whose flights were cancelled options including a full refund, travel credit or rebooking on other carriers, though it noted that 'capacity is currently limited due to the peak summer travel season.' Story continues below advertisement Air Canada said on Sunday that the CIRB has ordered the terms of the collective agreement between the union and the airline that expired on March 31 be extended until a new agreement is reached. CUPE, which represents more than 10,000 flight attendants, has accused Hajdu of caving to Air Canada's demands. CUPE also said it is inviting Air Canada back to the table to negotiate a fair deal. The union called for a 'day of action' on Sunday, with demonstrations planned outside of the Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary airports. Natasha Stea, the president of the local 4091 for flight attendants based in Montreal, said the workers supported defying the back-to-work order. 'I want to be very clear, Air Canada is choosing to do this to our passengers, to our company, because we are the face of the company, and they're trying to blame us for all this and getting together with their friends in the government to kind of circumvent all our rights,' she said at a demonstration outside the Toronto airport. She said workers are 'done being abused and exploited.' 'Where you have a multi-billion dollar company that's refusing to pay living wages to their employees, I just don't know.' Story continues below advertisement CUPE originally announced its members were heading to the picket lines after being unable to reach an eleventh-hour deal with the airline, while Air Canada locked out its agents about 30 minutes later due to the strike action. The union has said its main sticking points revolve around wages that have been outpaced by inflation during its previous 10-year contract, along with unpaid labour when planes aren't in the air. Air Canada had previously asked Hajdu to order the parties to enter a binding arbitration process. Flights on Air Canada Express, operated by Jazz or Pal, were not affected by the strike.
Global News
2 hours ago
- Global News
Air Canada union rejects binding arbitration as almost 300 flights axed
The union representing Air Canada's flight attendants has told Canada's jobs minister that the airline's request for binding arbitration should be rejected. 'The Air Canada Component of CUPE has respectfully urged Employment Minister Patty Hajdu not to intervene pursuant to section 107 of the Canada Labour Code thereby permitting collective bargaining to continue and allowing the parties to negotiate a resolution,' the union wrote in a statement. 'The Union submits that the appropriate course of action is for Air Canada to return to the table and resume good faith bargaining. Accordingly, Air Canada's request for ministerial intervention under section 107 should be firmly rejected.' 2:05 Air Canada asks for federal intervention to avoid imminent shutdown The rejection comes just an hour after the airline said on X it has cancelled 294 total flights, with 55,726 people impacted. Story continues below advertisement The airline's chief operations officer Mark Nasr said on Thursday he expected about 500 flights to be cancelled by end of day Friday, with a complete grounding as of Saturday morning. Hajdu's press secretary Jennifer Kozelj confirmed to Global News a response had been received. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'We thank the union for their response,' Kozelj wrote. 'We strongly urge the parties to work with federal mediators and get a deal done. Time's precious and Canadians are counting on you.' Both sides are less than 24 hours away from possible job action, with each having called on the other to return to negotiations. Air Canada executives defended their decision Thursday to request binding arbitration, saying they still want to reach a deal, but asked the government to consider intervening if negotiations or 'consensual arbitration' do not occur. The union, however, criticized the airline's move, saying it has called on the federal government to 'interfere with negotiations.' 2:44 Air Canada starts cancelling flights at Vancouver airport ahead of strike The looming strike also comes just as Canada Post was set to restart talks with its postal workers, also using federal mediators. Story continues below advertisement The Crown corporation said Friday that talks set for that day and Monday had been postponed to next Wednesday due to mediators being unavailable. In a statement announcing the postponement, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers said the Air Canada negotiations were having an impact. 'The Federal mediators will not be able to assist CUPW and CPC due to their current involvement in the Air Canada negotiations,' the union wrote. With the strike and lockout getting closer, business groups have raised concerns about how much impact such job action could have on the country. The Toronto Region Board of Trade said Friday that a complete shut down of Canada's largest airline would have 'broad-reaching economic consequences.' 'A disruptive work stoppage is occurring at precisely the moment when Canada is urgently seeking to reboot our economy and enhance our competitive position against mounting trade pressures,' Board of Trade chief executive Giles Gherson said in a statement. 'The economic stakes are higher than ever. Any slow down creates delay we cannot afford.' The Canadian Federation of Independent Business also sounded the alarm, telling The Canadian Press one-third of small business depend on the summer tourism season for their revenues and members 'cannot afford to lose a single day.' Story continues below advertisement Nasr said the cancellations before a strike or lockout has even begun are because 'sudden or unmanaged work stoppages produce a significantly worse disruption to travel than a planned suspension of flying.' Nasr added that cancelling over several days would allow for an 'orderly restart' when job action ends, 'which under the best circumstance will take a full week to complete.' According to the airline, about 130,000 travellers a day could be impacted during a strike. Those impacted by cancellations have been advised they'll receive a text message and email advising them of their cancellation. They will then be offered a complete refund or the option of potentially being booked on another airline to complete their trip. Air Canada said if a person cannot be rebooked, they will receive a refund.
