Latest news with #RafaelGomez
The Sun
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Air Canada cancels flights as cabin crew strike disrupts summer travel
TORONTO: Air Canada cancelled hundreds of flights on Saturday as a strike by flight attendants disrupted operations. The airline urged passengers with tickets for Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge not to proceed to airports. Flights operated by Air Canada Express, a third-party service, remain unaffected by the strike. 'Air Canada deeply regrets the effect the strike is having on customers,' the company stated. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) confirmed the strike began at 12:58 am local time on Saturday. In response, Air Canada initiated a lockout of CUPE-represented cabin crew, escalating the payment dispute. The airline had been reducing operations in anticipation of potential labour action. By Friday evening, 623 flights were cancelled, affecting over 100,000 passengers. Air Canada's full daily schedule of 700 flights was scrapped for Saturday. 'At this time, Air Canada remains engaged and committed to negotiate a renewal to its collective agreement with CUPE,' the airline said. The union is pushing for wage increases and compensation for unpaid ground work, including boarding duties. Rafael Gomez of the University of Toronto noted flight attendants are typically paid only for in-flight hours. He highlighted the union's effective public campaign framing unpaid ground work as unfair. 'An average passenger could think flight attendants helping during boarding aren't being paid,' Gomez said. He added that any gains by Air Canada employees could influence other airlines. Air Canada's latest offer proposed senior attendants earning an average of CAN$87,000 by 2027. CUPE dismissed the offer as 'below inflation and below market value.' The union also rejected calls for independent arbitration from the government and airline. Gomez predicted the strike would be short-lived due to peak travel season pressures. 'The airline doesn't want to lose hundreds of millions in revenue,' he said. Canada's economy faces additional strain from trade disputes, with tariffs affecting key industries. The Business Council of Canada warned the strike could further harm supply chains and travel. 'Disruption of air services would cause immediate and extensive harm to all Canadians,' it stated. - AFP
eNCA
8 hours ago
- Business
- eNCA
Air Canada grounds hundreds of flights over cabin crew strike
TORONTO - Air Canada cancelled hundreds of flights Saturday 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 12:58 am local time (0458 GMT) on Saturday. 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 labor action. As of 8:00 pm Friday, the airline said it had cancelled 623 flights affecting more than 100,000 passengers. Its full 700-flight daily schedule has been scrapped for Saturday. "At this time, Air Canada remains engaged and committed to negotiate a renewal to its collective agreement with CUPE," it said. - Unpaid ground work - In addition to wage increases, the union says it wants to address uncompensated ground work, including during the boarding process. Rafael Gomez, who heads the University of Toronto's Center for Industrial Relations, told AFP it is "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, speaking before the strike began. "That's a very good issue to highlight," Gomez further said, adding that gains made by Air Canada employees could impact other carriers. Air Canada detailed its latest offer in a Thursday statement, specifying that under the terms, a senior flight attendant would on average make CAN$87,000 ($65,000) 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 he did not expect any 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." Canada's economy, though showing resilience, has begun feeling the effects of President Donald Trump's trade war, with his tariffs hitting crucial sectors like auto, aluminum and steel. In a statement issued before the strike began, the Business Council of Canada warned an Air Canada work stoppage could add further pain. "At a time when Canada is dealing with unprecedented pressures on our critical economic supply chains, the disruption of national air passenger travel and cargo transport services would cause immediate and extensive harm to all Canadians," it said. bs/cwl/bjt/md
Eyewitness News
9 hours ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Air Canada grounds hundreds of flights over cabin crew strike
TORONTO - Air Canada cancelled hundreds of flights Saturday 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 12:58 am local time (0458 GMT) on Saturday. In response, Air Canada began a "lockout" of cabin crew belonging to CUPE, preventing the employees from working during the standoff fuelled by a payment dispute. Air Canada had been gradually winding down operations ahead of the possible labour action. As of 8:00 pm Friday, the airline said it had cancelled 623 flights, affecting more than 100,000 passengers. Its full 700-flight daily schedule has been scrapped for Saturday. "At this time, Air Canada remains engaged and committed to negotiating a renewal to its collective agreement with CUPE," it said. UNPAID GROUNDWORK In addition to wage increases, the union says it wants to address uncompensated groundwork, including during the boarding process. Rafael Gomez, who heads the University of Toronto's Centre for Industrial Relations, told AFP it is "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, speaking before the strike began. "That's a very good issue to highlight," Gomez further said, adding that gains made by Air Canada employees could impact other carriers. Air Canada detailed its latest offer in a Thursday statement, specifying that under the terms, a senior flight attendant would on average make CAN$87,000 ($65,000) 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 he did not expect any 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." Canada's economy, though showing resilience, has begun feeling the effects of President Donald Trump's trade war, with his tariffs hitting crucial sectors like auto, aluminium and steel. In a statement issued before the strike began, the Business Council of Canada warned an Air Canada work stoppage could add further pain. "At a time when Canada is dealing with unprecedented pressures on our critical economic supply chains, the disruption of national air passenger travel and cargo transport services would cause immediate and extensive harm to all Canadians," it said.
Kuwait Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Air Canada flight attendants strike; operations hit
TORONTO: Air Canada's flight attendants went on strike Saturday, as the airline announced a complete shutdown of operations, creating summer travel chaos for its 130,000 daily passengers. 'We are now officially on strike,' the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents Air Canada's 10,000 flight attendants, said in a statement. Air Canada, which flies directly to 180 cities worldwide, said it had 'suspended all operations' in response to the work stoppage. 'Air Canada is strongly advising affected customers not to go to the airport,' it said, adding that it 'deeply regrets the effect the strike is having on customers.' CUPE was in a legal position to strike as of 12.01 am (0401 GMT), after delivering a 72-hour strike notice on Wednesday. The strike began at 12.58 am, both sides confirmed. Air Canada had been gradually winding down operations ahead of the possible labor action. As of 8:00 pm Friday, the airline said it had cancelled 623 flights affecting more than 100,000 passengers. Its full 700-flight daily schedule has been scrapped for Saturday. In addition to wage increases, the union says it wants to address uncompensated ground work, including during the boarding process. Rafael Gomez, who heads the University of Toronto's Center for Industrial Relations, told AFP it is '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, speaking before the strike began. 'That's a very good issue to highlight,' Gomez further said, adding that gains made by Air Canada employees could impact other carriers. Air Canada detailed its latest offer in a Thursday statement, specifying that under the terms, a senior flight attendant would on average make CAN$87,000 ($65,000) 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 he did not expect any 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.' Canada's economy, though showing resilience, has begun feeling the effects of President Donald Trump's trade war, with his tariffs hitting crucial sectors like auto, aluminum and steel. In a statement issued before the strike began, the Business Council of Canada warned an Air Canada work stoppage could add further pain. 'At a time when Canada is dealing with unprecedented pressures on our critical economic supply chains, the disruption of national air passenger travel and cargo transport services would cause immediate and extensive harm to all Canadians,' it said. – AFP
Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Air Canada set to shut down over flight attendants strike
TORONTO: Air Canada's flight attendants were poised to strike on Saturday as the carrier cancelled hundreds of flights impacting 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 labor action could begin around 1:00 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. Air Canada flight attendants to picket at four Canadian airports As of 8:00 pm 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. 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 CAN$87,000 ($65,000) 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.'
