Latest news with #Cupe
The Star
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Canadian govt moves to end Air Canada strike
OTTAWA: The Canadian government has moved to end a strike by Air Canada's cabin crews and require binding arbitration to break their contract impasse, an action that the country's largest carrier had sought but unionised flight attendants fiercely oppose. Thousands of Air Canada flight attendants walked off the job for the first time since 1985, just before 1AM Canadian time, after months of negotiations over a new contract. In anticipation of the stoppage, the airline cancelled nearly all of its 700 daily flights, forcing more than 100,000 travellers to scramble for alternatives or stay put. The most contentious issue in the contract negotiations has been the union's demand for compensation for time spent on the ground between flights and when helping passengers board. Attendants are now largely paid when their plane is moving. Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said last Saturday at a news conference she had asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to impose binding arbitration on both sides and order an immediate end to the strike. Still, she told reporters it may take 24 to 48 hours for the board to complete that work, while Air Canada has said restarting operations after a strike would take a week to complete. 'This is not a decision that I've taken lightly, but the potential for immediate negative impact on Canadians and our economy is simply too great,' Hajdu said. Air Canada had asked Prime Minister Mark Carney's minority Liberal government to make the request, but the Canadian Union of Public Employees (Cupe) said it wanted a negotiated solution, as binding arbitration would take pressure off the airline. The union said it has asked the CIRB's chairperson to recuse herself from hearing the case in a virtual session last Saturday afternoon because she has worked in the past as a senior counsel at Air Canada. The carrier declined comment on Hajdu's decision and hearing as the process is underway. Hajdu said the government preferred negotiated settlements to labour disputes, but the current impasse showed the two sides would not find a solution soon enough to spare the economy further damage. She said Canada had already experienced 'unprecedented attacks on trade,' referring to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on US-bound shipments. Minutes after the announcement, the union blasted the government's decision. 'The Liberal government is rewarding Air Canada's refusal to negotiate fairly by giving them exactly what they wanted,' it said in a statement posted on X. Henly Larden, an Air Canada flight attendant and a vice-president at Cupe, called the government's move 'incredibly disgusting'. 'Air Canada should come and join us in good faith and address the matters that really resonate with our members,' a visibly emotional Larden said in a shaken voice at Vancouver airport. Cupe spokesperson Hugh Pouliot told Reuters that the strike will end only when the CIRB issues binding arbitration notice to the parties. The board is likely to grant the government's request. While passengers have generally voiced support for the flight attendants on social media, Canadian businesses – already reeling from a trade dispute with the United States – have urged the federal government to impose binding arbitration and cut short the strike. 'With both parties declaring an impasse in negotiations, with valuable cargo grounded and passengers stranded, the government made the right decision to refer the two sides to binding arbitration,' Matthew Holmes, chief of public policy for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement. While the most contentious topic was compensation for time spent on the ground, there was also disagreement over broader wage issues. The carrier had offered a 38% increase in total compensation for flight attendants over four years, with a 25% raise in the first year, which Cupe said was insufficient. The union has said Air Canada offered to compensate flight attendants for some work that is now unpaid at 50% of their hourly rate. A source close to the negotiations told Reuters the union was looking for parity on wages with Canadian leisure carrier Air Transat. Its flight attendants approved a contract last year that provided for total compounded increases of 30% over five years, making them the highest paid in the industry in Canada. According to union data, a Transat flight attendant would start at an hourly rate of C$40.38 or about US$29.22, effective November, compared with an entry level wage of C$26.42 at Air Canada's low-cost service Air Canada Rouge or around C$30 at the mainline carrier. Air Canada did not confirm if such a proposal had been put forth by the union. Earlier in the day outside Toronto Pearson International Airport – the country's busiest – hundreds of cabin crew waved flags, banners and picket signs. Union officials called on members to assemble outside all of the country's major airports, including in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver. Montreal-based Air Canada had said the suspended flights included those operated by Air Canada Rouge. Flights by Air Canada's regional affiliates – Air Canada Jazz and PAL Airlines – were operating as usual. Hajdu told reporters she had also asked the country's industrial relations board to extend the terms of the existing collective agreement until a new one is determined by the arbitrator. The Canada Labour Code gives the government the right to ask the industrial relations board to impose binding arbitration in the interests of protecting the economy. Under Justin Trudeau, Carney's predecessor, the government intervened quickly last year to head off rail and dock strikes that threatened to cripple the economy. — Reuters
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Air Canada and union ordered to bargaining table to end strike
The Canadian government has intervened in the Air Canada strike, forcing both parties to the bargaining table as hundreds of flights were cancelled this weekend. Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu ordered binding arbitration between the airline and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (Cupe), which represents more than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants, hours after a strike began on Saturday morning. "Despite significant supports from the government, these parties have been unable to resolve their differences in a timely manner," Hadju said in a statement, adding that "stability and supply chains" must be preserved. The country's largest carrier says the strike will affect around 500 flights a day. Hadju invoked Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to bring the parties to the table. Cupe said Canada's Liberal Party was "violating our charter rights" and the intervention "sets a terrible precedent" in a statement on X. Air Canada said it had suspended all flights, including those under its budget arm Air Canada Rouge, and advised affected customers not to travel to the airport unless with a different airline. The airline said this would disrupt travel plans for around 130,000 passengers a day. Its flight attendants are calling for higher salaries and to be paid for work when aircraft are on the ground. The strike took effect at 00:58 EDT (04:58 GMT) on Saturday, though Air Canada began scaling back its operations before then. Flight attendants will picket at major Canadian airports, where passengers were trying to secure new bookings earlier in the week. What to know as Air Canada attendants strike Air Canada, which flies directly to 180 cities worldwide, said it had "suspended all operations" and that it was "strongly advising affected customers not to go to the airport". It added that Air Canada Jazz, PAL Airlines and Air Canada Express flights were unaffected. "Air Canada deeply regrets the effect the strike is having on customers," it said. By Friday night, the airline said it had cancelled 623 flights, affecting more than 100,000 passengers, as part of a winding down of operations ahead of the strike. In contract negotiations, the airline said it had offered flight attendants a 38% increase in total compensation over four years, with a 25% raise in the first year. Cupe said the offer was "below inflation, below market value, below minimum wage" and would still leave flight attendants unpaid for some hours of work, including boarding and waiting at airports ahead of flights. The union and the airline have publicly traded barbs about each other's willingness to reach an agreement. Earlier this month, 99.7% of employees represented by the union voted for a strike. Cupe has asserted that it had been negotiating in good faith for more than eight months, but that Air Canada instead sought government-directed arbitration. "When we stood strong together, Air Canada didn't come to the table in good faith," the union said in a statement to its members. "Instead, they called on the federal government to step in and take those rights away." Air Canada begins cancelling flights ahead of potential strike Solve the daily Crossword
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Air Canada grounds hundreds of flights as cabin crew set up picket lines
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Air Canada cabin crew hold picket signs as they kick off their strike on Aug 16, 2025. TORONTO – Air Canada cancelled hundreds of flights on Aug 16 as it began shutting down operations in response to a strike by flight attendants, triggering summer travel chaos for its 130,000 daily passengers. Canada's largest airline, which flies directly to 180 cities worldwide, urged customers not to go to the airport if they have a ticket for Air Canada or its lower-cost subsidiary Air Canada Rouge. It said flights by Air Canada Express, which are operated by a third party, would not be impacted by the walkout. 'Air Canada deeply regrets the effect the strike is having on customers,' the company said in a statement. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (Cupe), which represents Air Canada's 10,000 flight attendants, said that strike action officially began at 12.58am (12.5pm Singapore time) on Aug 16. In response, Air Canada began a 'lockout' of cabin crew belonging to Cupe, preventing the employees from working during the standoff fueled by a payment dispute. Air Canada had been gradually winding down operations ahead of the possible labour action. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 280 vapes seized, more than 640 people checked by police, HSA in anti-vape raids at nightspots Singapore SPLRT disruption: 28km of cables to be tested during off-service hours; works to end by Aug 23 Singapore First-half GDP boost likely temporary; Republic must stay relevant amid challenges: Chan Chun Sing Life Six-figure sales each durian season: Why S'pore durian sellers are now live selling on TikTok Singapore Airport-bound public bus to be fitted with luggage rack in 3-month trial: LTA Singapore 3 truck drivers injured after chain collision on ECP, including one rescued with hydraulic tools Life Meet the tutors who take O-level exams every year to create a 'war mate' bond with their students Life Pivot or perish: How Singapore restaurants are giving diners what they want As of 8pm on Aug 15, the airline said it had cancelled 623 flights affecting more than 100,000 passengers. Its full 700-flight daily schedule has been scrapped for Aug 16. 'At this time, Air Canada remains engaged and committed to negotiate a renewal to its collective agreement with Cupe,' it said. Outside Toronto Pearson International Airport – Canada's busiest – hundreds of cabin crew waved flags, banners and picket signs. Union officials called on members to assemble outside all of the country's major airports, including in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver. Unpaid ground work The dispute between the union and the airline centres on wages. Attendants are currently paid only when their plane is moving. The union is seeking compensation for time spent on the ground between flights and when helping passengers board. The union has said Air Canada offered to compensate flight attendants for some work that is now unpaid but only at 50 per cent of their hourly rate. The carrier offered a 38 per cent increase in total compensation for flight attendants over four years, with a 25 per cent raise in the first year, which the union said was insufficient. The impact of a strike will ripple far beyond Canada. Air Canada is the busiest foreign carrier servicing the United States by number of scheduled flights. While passengers have generally voiced support for the flight attendants on social media, Canadian businesses – already reeling from a trade dispute with the US – have urged the federal government to impose binding arbitration on both sides, ending the strike. Air Canada jets sit idle on the tarmac as a cabin crew strike begins on Aug 16, 2025. PHOTO: REUTERS The Canada Labour Code gives Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu the right to ask the country's Industrial Relations Board to impose binding arbitration in the interests of protecting the economy. Air Canada has asked Prime Minister Mark Carney's minority Liberal government to act, but the union says it wants a negotiated solution, as binding arbitration would take pressure off the airline. Ms Hajdu has repeatedly urged the two sides to return to the bargaining table. In a note to clients, analysts at financial services firm TD Cowen urged the carrier to 'extend an olive branch to end the impasse', adding that investors are worried that any cost savings on labour would be outweighed by lost earnings in the airline's most important quarter. 'We think it would be best for AC to achieve labour peace,' the note said. 'Not budging on negotiations risks being a pyrrhic victory.' AFP, REUTERS
Business Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Air Canada set to shut down over flight attendants strike
[Toronto] Air Canada's flight attendants were poised to strike on Saturday (Aug 16) as the carrier cancelled hundreds of flights affecting more than 100,000 passengers ahead of a threatened work stoppage that could shut down service. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (Cupe), which represents Air Canada's 10,000 flight attendants, was in a legal position to strike as of 12.01 am (0401 GMT), after delivering a 72-hour strike notice on Wednesday. The public broadcaster CBC reported the labour action could begin around 1 am if no last-minute deal is reached. Air Canada, which transports about 130,000 passengers daily, had said it would gradually wind down operations ahead of the possible strike. As at 8 pm on Friday, the airline said it had cancelled 623 flights affecting more than 100,000 passengers. In addition to wage increases, the union says it wants to address uncompensated ground work, including during the boarding process. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Rafael Gomez, who heads the University of Toronto's Center for Industrial Relations, told AFP it's 'common practice, even around the world' to compensate flight attendants based on time spent in the air. He said the union had built an effective communication campaign around the issue, creating a public perception of unfairness. An average passenger, not familiar with common industry practice, could think, ''I'm waiting to board the plane and there's a flight attendant helping me, but they're technically not being paid for that work',' he said. 'That's a very good issue to highlight.' Air Canada detailed its latest offer in a Thursday statement, specifying that under the terms, a senior flight attendant would on average make C$87,000 (S$80,767) by 2027. Cupe has described Air Canada's offers as 'below inflation (and) below market value'. The union has also rejected requests from the federal government and Air Canada to resolve outstanding issues through independent arbitration. Gomez said that if the flight attendants strike, he does not expect the stoppage to last long. 'This is peak season,' he said. 'The airline does not want to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue... They're almost playing chicken with the flight attendants.' AFP
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Air Canada to cancel most of its 700 flights by Friday as strike looms
Air Canada and its low-cost affiliate Air Canada Rouge normally carry about 130,000 customers a day. Air Canada is also the foreign carrier with the largest number of flights to the US US carrier United Airlines, a code share partner of Air Canada, said it has issued a travel waiver to help customers manage their travel plans. Two days before the possible work stoppage, Air Canada passengers expressed concerns to Reuters over missed vacations and being stranded abroad, and many voiced support for the flight attendants. David Nguyen, 28, a pharmacist on vacation outside Cancun, Mexico, said he was worried his flight back to Toronto on Friday will be cancelled, leaving him stranded. He said he tried rebooking on another carrier but all the refundable options were sold out and the ones that are left cost more than C$1,000 (R12,737). 'If my flight does get cancelled that's when I'll be in a bit of a pickle because I don't know what my next step will be,' said Nguyen, adding Air Canada 'should pay their flight attendants appropriately'. Summer Mehdi, 19, a third-year student at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, said her family of four planned to catch a flight from Toronto to Lisbon on Saturday, but their summer vacation to Portugal and France was in limbo. 'My family and I 100% agree with the strike and we want the employees to get what they deserve,' Mehdi said. 'We wish there was more communication. It's a stressful situation for everyone.' Earlier in the day, Canadian jobs minister Patty Hajdu urged the two parties in the dispute to return to the bargaining table and reach a deal that could avert disruptions. A spokesperson for the Canadian Union of Public Employees (Cupe), which represents the flight attendants, said Air Canada negotiators stopped bargaining and have not responded to a proposal they made earlier this week. 'We believe the company wants the federal government to intervene and bail them out.' Hajdu said on the social media site X she has agreed to a union request to respond to the airline's call for binding arbitration by 12pm ET on Friday. Cupe has previously said it opposes binding arbitration. Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, chief human resources officer at Air Canada, said on Thursday the carrier was 'available to bargain at any time on the condition the negotiation has substance'. Meloul-Wechsler spoke at a press conference held by Air Canada executives that ended abruptly when union members carrying placards entered the Toronto hotel conference room where it was being held. The dispute hinges on the way airlines compensate flight attendants. Most have traditionally paid them only when planes are in motion. In their latest contract negotiations, flight attendants in North America have sought compensation for hours worked, including for tasks such as boarding passengers and waiting at the airport before and between flights. The union said Air Canada had offered to begin compensating flight attendants for some unpaid work, which the union said amounts to about 35 hours a month, but only at 50% of their hourly rate. The airline said it had offered a 38% increase in total compensation for flight attendants over four years, with a 25% raise in the first year. The union has not publicised what it has asked for in terms of higher wages.
