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CBC
4 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Air Canada flight attendants could strike next week. Here's what you need to know
Air Canada flight attendants could walk off the job as early as next week after voting overwhelmingly to approve a strike mandate. Members of the Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) voted 99.7 per cent in favour of a strike mandate on Tuesday. But a strike isn't set in stone yet, with both parties back at the bargaining table starting Friday. Here's what you need to know: When could workers go on strike? If an agreement isn't reached, the earliest that workers could walk off the job is 12:01 ET on Aug. 16, as long as 72 hours notice is given, according to the union. This means the earliest that a 72-hour strike notice could be issued is Aug. 13. The Air Canada component of CUPE represents more than 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and its leisure service, Air Canada Rouge. Air Canada Express flights, which are operated by Jazz and PAL, will not be affected. What's at stake in the negotiations? The union and Air Canada are negotiating a new contract after the previous 10-year contract expired in March. CUPE says that wages, work rules and unpaid hours are the big issues in contention. According to CUPE, many duties performed by flight attendants prior to boarding and after deplaning, including performing required safety checks and assisting passengers, go unpaid under the current pay structure. The union announced that members will be mobilizing at airports in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary on Monday to raise awareness of the essential role of flight attendants, and that representatives will be on hand to answer questions. How are negotiations going? According to the union, it will be back at the bargaining table from Friday until Aug. 15. Bloomberg reported earlier this week that Air Canada had offered an overall wage increase of more than 30 per cent over four years. Air Canada told CBC News that it was unable to comment on the specifics during the bargaining process. "We can confirm, however, that we have made a proposal to the union that would make our flight attendants the best paid in Canada — including addressing the issue of ground pay — in recognition of their contributions to the success of our airline," the airline said in a statement. When asked about a potential offer, CUPE told CBC News on Thursday that "Air Canada has never presented this offer to the union. "If this indeed is what the company plans to present when we resume negotiations on Friday, we look forward to discussing it then." Should you cancel your Air Canada flight? The airline has previously said that it believes it's too early for travellers to consider disrupting their plans. "At this point, our focus is on achieving a new, negotiated agreement with CUPE, so it is premature to speculate or discuss possible contingencies," Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick told The Canadian Press. CUPE has stated that a strike is an option, but not the goal. One expert told CBC News that those whose flights fall on a day that might be affected by a possible strike shouldn't cancel their flights. "There's compensation that's going to be due to you if they [Air Canada] cancel the flights rather than if you cancel it," John Gradek, a lecturer in supply networks and aviation management at McGill University, told CBC News. He recommended that those who absolutely need to make it to their destination on a specific day consider buying a refundable ticket from another airline so that they can get their money back if there's no strike and proceed with their original ticket.
Vancouver Sun
14-05-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Air Canada, flight attendants union head to conciliation amid impasse in contract negotiations
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. 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. Its previous contract with the airline, which had been in effect since 2015, expired in March. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'Everything has changed since 2015, but the company refuses to acknowledge reality,' said union president Wesley Lesosky in a press release. '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.' 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. 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. 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.' '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. '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.' 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. '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. 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. The union said if there is no agreement reached by then, it may give 72-hours' notice of job action after a strike vote has been taken. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
National Post
14-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
Air Canada, flight attendants union head to conciliation amid impasse in contract negotiations
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
CBC
14-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Union representing Air Canada's flight attendants files for conciliation as talks stall
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. 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. Its previous contract with the airline, which had been in effect since 2015, expired in March. "Everything has changed since 2015, but the company refuses to acknowledge reality," said union president Wesley Lesosky in a press release. "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." The union also wants to close what it calls 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. 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. WATCH | Air Canada flight attendants contemplate strike: Air Canada flight attendants contemplate strike 1 month ago Duration 1:30 CUPE represents 10,000 Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants who are pushing to end unpaid work as part of ongoing labour negotiations with the airline, as their contract expires today. Currently, attendants are only paid for the time the plane is in the air. In a statement, Air Canada spokeperson 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." "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. "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." 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. "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. 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. The union said if there is no agreement reached by then, it may give 72-hours' notice of job action after a strike vote has been taken.
National Post
14-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
Air Canada, flight attendant union head to conciliation amid impasse in negotiations
Article content 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 'Everything has changed since 2015, but the company refuses to acknowledge reality,' said union president Wesley Lesosky in a press release. 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 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 '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
