Air Canada, flight attendants union head to conciliation amid impasse in contract negotiations

National Post

14-05-2025

TORONTO — The union representing Air Canada flight attendants says it has filed for conciliation with the federal labour minister after reaching an impasse in contract negotiations with the airline.
Article content
Article content
The Air Canada component of CUPE, which represents 10,000 Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants, said its top priority is boosting compensation, noting an entry-level full-time salary is roughly $1,951 per month.
Article content
Its previous contract with the airline, which had been in effect since 2015, expired in March.
Article content
Article content
'Our workloads have soared, the cost of living has skyrocketed beyond belief, and our working conditions are getting worse by the day. The status quo won't cut it.'
Article content
The union also wants to close 'loopholes' in the Canada Labour Code that it says allow airlines to force flight attendants to work an average of 35 hours per month without pay.
Article content
It said its members complete certain tasks without compensation, such as boarding and deplaning, assisting passengers with mobility issues, and performing pre-flight safety checks.
Article content
In a statement, Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick said the airline plans to work with the federal mediation and conciliation service to reach a deal that 'recognizes our flight attendants' valued contributions to Air Canada.'
Article content
'Air Canada has a long history of successful labour relations and fruitful negotiations with its employees, as has again been demonstrated in the recent past,' he said.
Article content
Article content
'The federally mandated conciliation process will occur over the coming months, so customers can continue to book and travel on Air Canada with full confidence.'
Article content
Fitzpatrick declined to comment on specifics related to ongoing negotiations regarding compensation, but said the model currently in place is consistent with that at most global carriers.
Article content
'That said, we are certainly open to discuss this item with the union as part of a more general conversation about overall compensation in our contract talks,' he said.
Article content
Once a federal conciliation officer is appointed, there will be a 60-day period for them to work with the airline and union followed by a three-week cooling off period.
Article content