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Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Air Canada strike update: Airline cancels flights and issues lookout notice as 130,000 may face daily disruptions
Air Canada is bracing for a major disruption as tensions with its flight attendants escalate. The airline has already begun canceling flights in case of a possible work stoppage that could leave thousands of people stuck. Given the current standoff between both sides, the next 72 hours could determine whether Canada's largest airline completely ceases operations. What effect will the strike have on travelers? Air Canada has started to cancel flights ahead of time after its flight attendants gave a 72-hour strike notice, which could mean that all of the airline's operations will be grounded across the country. The airline says that the stop could affect about 130,000 passengers every day, and by the end of Friday, hundreds of flights had already been canceled. All Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights should be stopped by early Saturday morning, as quoted in a report by KCRA 3. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Undo ALSO READ: Orca attack mystery: What really happened to marine trainer Jessica Radcliffe Mark Nasr, the Chief Operations Officer, said that the decision to slowly stop flights will make it easier to start them up again if an agreement is reached. Live Events He said, "which under the best circumstances will take a full week to complete." Several long-haul international routes have already seen the first wave of cancellations, and about 25,000 Canadians could be stuck overseas every day, as quoted in a report by KCRA 3. Long-haul international flights that were scheduled to depart Thursday night will be impacted by the first round of cancellations, he said, which involved several dozen flights. "By tomorrow evening we expect to have cancelled flights affecting over 100,000 customers,' Nasr said. 'By the time we get to 1 a.m. on Saturday morning, we will be completely grounded.' By the end of Friday, 500 flights are anticipated to be canceled, as quoted in a report by KCRA 3. ALSO READ: Tesla abruptly ends Dojo supercomputer as Musk shifts focus to next-gen AI chips - what went wrong with the project? What are the union's main requests? The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which speaks for about 10,000 flight attendants, says that the disagreement is mostly about low pay and not getting paid for time spent on the ground. Some of the attendants held up signs at a press conference that said "Unpaid work won't fly" and "Poverty wages = UnCanadian," showing how angry they were. Air Canada recently offered a 38% raise in total pay, which includes wages, pensions, and benefits, over four years. But the union says this still doesn't cover all of their worries. Natasha Stea, a spokesperson for the union, said that management might be counting on the federal government to step in instead of having real talks. She said, "There's still time to reach an agreement if we sit down and talk." ALSO READ: Apple's iPhone 17 color lineup leaks: Stunning new hues spark frenzy online Can the government step in to stop the shutdown? The airline suggested binding arbitration, but the union turned it down and insisted on direct negotiations that all members can vote on. Patty Hajdu, the federal jobs minister, has told both sides to reach an agreement at the table, but she hasn't ruled out government action if things get worse. This strike is coming up almost a year after Air Canada narrowly avoided a similar problem with its pilots, who reached a contract deal before a strike notice was sent out. The pilots' union has spoken out in support of the flight attendants and asked that their right to negotiate as a group be respected without government interference. Air Canada is currently offering full refunds to passengers whose flights have been canceled. The airline is also working with other airlines to find other ways for people to travel when possible. But as the deadline gets closer, the future of Canada's busiest airline is still up in the air, and the effect on travelers could be huge. FAQs How many people might the strike affect? The strike could potentially impact approximately 130,000 individuals daily. What is the main cause of the disagreement? Concerns about remuneration and unpaid work hours are the primary causes of this disagreement.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Air Canada cancels flights ahead of strike by thousands of flight attendants
Air Canada has started cancelling flights bracing for a near-total shutdown as a strike by thousands of flight attendants looms, threatening to disrupt travel plans for as many as 130,000 passengers a day. The union representing about 10,000 flight attendants issued a 72-hour strike notice on Wednesday, prompting the airline to issue a lockout notice in response, according to reports by news agencies AP and Reuters. The work stoppage is set to begin just before 1 am EDT (10:30 am IST) on Saturday, potentially grounding operations at the country's largest carrier during peak summer travel. Mark Nasr, Air Canada's Chief Operations Officer, said the airline has started a gradual suspension of both Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operations to allow for an 'orderly restart,' as per AP, which under the best circumstances would take a week. The first wave of cancellations on Thursday targeted long-haul overseas routes, impacting several dozen flights. By Friday, Nasr estimated cancellations would affect over 100,000 customers, with 500 flights scrapped by day's end. A complete grounding, expected Saturday, could leave about 25,000 Canadians abroad without a way home. Passengers on canceled flights will be eligible for full refunds, and Air Canada is arranging alternatives with other carriers 'to the extent possible,' Nasr said, according to AP. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) says, as per AP, the dispute centers on 'poverty wages' and unpaid labour for duties performed when planes are not in the air, such as boarding and airport standby. At a news conference Thursday, some flight attendants held signs reading 'Unpaid work won't fly' and 'Poverty wages = UnCanadian.' Air Canada's Chief Human Resources Officer Arielle Meloul-Wechsler said the latest offer includes a 38 per cent total compensation increase, including benefits and pensions over four years. She said the company has reached a deadlock but remains open to talks and consensual mediation. The union, however, rejected binding mediation, preferring to negotiate a contract its members can vote on. Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu has urged both sides to return to the bargaining table, reported AP, stressing that 'deals are best made at the bargaining table.' She has asked the union to respond to the airline's arbitration request but stopped short of announcing direct government intervention. (With inputs from Reuters, AP)
RTHK
2 days ago
- Business
- RTHK
Air Canada starts axing flights as strike looms
Air Canada starts axing flights as strike looms The Canadian Union of Public Employees says some Air Canada flight attendants are earning less than the minimum wage. Photo: Reuters Air Canada has started cancelling flights ahead of a possible work stoppage by flight attendants that could impact hundreds of thousands of travellers. A complete shutdown of the country's largest airline threatens to impact about 130,000 people a day. The union representing around 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants issued a 72-hour strike notice on Wednesday. In response, the airline issued a lockout notice. Mark Nasr, chief operations officer, said the airline has begun a gradual suspension of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operations. "All flights will be paused by Saturday early morning," he said. Nasr said this approach will help facilitate an orderly restart "which under the best circumstances will take a full week to complete". He said a first set of cancellations involving several dozen flights will impact long-haul overseas trips that were due to depart on Thursday night. "By tomorrow evening we expect to have cancelled flights affecting over 100,000 customers," Nasr said. "By the time we get to 1am on Saturday morning we will be completely grounded." He said a grounding will affect 25,000 Canadians a day abroad who may become stranded. They expect 500 flights to be cancelled by the end of Friday. He said customers whose flights are cancelled will be eligible for a full refund, and it has also made arrangements with other Canadian and foreign carriers to provide alternative travel options "to the extent possible". Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, head of human resources for Air Canada, said its latest offer includes a 38 percent increase in total compensation including benefits and pensions over four years. The union has said its main sticking points revolve around what it calls flight attendants' "poverty wages" and unpaid labour when planes aren't in the air. Some flight attendants at the airline's news conference on Thursday held up signs that read "Unpaid work won't fly" and "Poverty wages = UnCanadian". Canadian Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu on Thursday urged the airline and the union to come back to the bargaining table. In a statement, Hajdu also said Air Canada had asked her to refer the dispute to binding arbitration. She said she had asked the union to respond to this request. (AP/Reuters)
RTHK
2 days ago
- Business
- RTHK
Air Canada starts axing flights as strike looms
Air Canada starts axing flights as strike looms The Canadian Union of Public Employees says some Air Canada flight attendants are earning less than the minimum wage. Photo: Reuters Air Canada has started cancelling flights ahead of a possible work stoppage by flight attendants that could impact hundreds of thousands of travellers. A complete shutdown of the country's largest airline threatens to impact about 130,000 people a day. The union representing around 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants issued a 72-hour strike notice on Wednesday. In response, the airline issued a lockout notice. Mark Nasr, chief operations officer, said the airline has begun a gradual suspension of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operations. "All flights will be paused by Saturday early morning," he said. Nasr said this approach will help facilitate an orderly restart "which under the best circumstances will take a full week to complete". He said a first set of cancellations involving several dozen flights will impact long-haul overseas trips that were due to depart on Thursday night. "By tomorrow evening we expect to have cancelled flights affecting over 100,000 customers," Nasr said. "By the time we get to 1am on Saturday morning we will be completely grounded." He said a grounding will affect 25,000 Canadians a day abroad who may become stranded. They expect 500 flights to be cancelled by the end of Friday. He said customers whose flights are cancelled will be eligible for a full refund, and it has also made arrangements with other Canadian and foreign carriers to provide alternative travel options "to the extent possible". Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, head of human resources for Air Canada, said its latest offer includes a 38 percent increase in total compensation including benefits and pensions over four years. The union has said its main sticking points revolve around what it calls flight attendants' "poverty wages" and unpaid labour when planes aren't in the air. Some flight attendants at the airline's news conference on Thursday held up signs that read "Unpaid work won't fly" and "Poverty wages = UnCanadian". Canadian Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu on Thursday urged the airline and the union to come back to the bargaining table. In a statement, Hajdu also said Air Canada had asked her to refer the dispute to binding arbitration. She said she had asked the union to respond to this request. (AP/Reuters)
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Air Canada Starts Canceling Flights: What To Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. More than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants are due to go on strike in the early hours of Saturday over a pay dispute, bringing travel chaos to hundreds of thousands of customers at the height of the summer vacation season. The airline says it has begun canceling flights as it prepares for a shutdown. Why It Matters Air Canada has more than 40,000 employees, with more than 250 aircraft traveling to 200 destinations in over 65 countries. The flight attendants' strike will affect more than 130,000 customers a day—including 25,000 Canadians daily who are attempting to come home from abroad—and now at risk of being stranded, the airline said. The strike comes as more Canadians are avoiding the United States this year because of diplomatic tensions and taking vacations at home, putting extra pressure on Air Canada's domestic routes. Passengers wait at an Air Canada check-in counter at Pearson International Airport on August 14 in Toronto. Passengers wait at an Air Canada check-in counter at Pearson International Airport on August 14 in To Know Mark Nasr, Air Canada's chief operations officer, said that cancellations would go from "several dozens" on Thursday, to some 500 by the end of Friday, to the airline being "completely grounded" at the start of the strike on Saturday, in the absence of a resolution. "The impact that this is going to have on our customers is profound and we are going to do everything possible to support them through it," Nasr said at a news conference. "Air Canada is a very complex system … It's simply not the kind of system we can start or stop at the push of a button. So in order to have a safe and orderly wind down, we need to begin now. That includes a first set of cancellations processed this morning, affecting largely long-haul international flights due to depart tonight, providing as much advance notice as we can." "The cancellations will proceed and grow in magnitude … By the time we get to 1 a.m. on Saturday morning, we'll be completely grounded," Nasr added. The news conference ended early, after members of the union stood silently, holding signs that read "UnfAir Canada" and "Poverty wages = UnCanadian." Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) airline division voted overwhelmingly this week to back a strike to press their demand for fair pay, in particular for the unpaid work performed by its flight attendants. The airline only pays for hours in the air, meaning preflight procedures like safety checks are unpaid. "For the past nine months, we have put forward solid, data-driven proposals on wages and unpaid work, all rooted in fairness and industry standards," said Wesley Lesosky, president of the Air Canada Component of CUPE. "Air Canada's response to our proposals makes one thing clear: they are not interested in resolving these critical issues," he added. With negotiations bogged down over an airline offer, including a 38 percent pay increase over four years, Air Canada proposed resolving the dispute using an arbitrator but the union declined the suggestion. Air Canada says it will offer refunds on tickets and try to book customers on other flights, but there are few available seats in the summer rush. What People Are Saying Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, Air Canada's executive vice president for human resources, at Thursday's briefing: "We are extremely disappointed by CUPE's decision which threatens to disrupt the travel plans of more than 130,000 customers a day." Lesosky, in a statement: "While the airline continues to slap junk fees on flyers and gouge the public, they're also exploiting their own employees by severely underpaying flight attendants or refusing to pay them at all for safety-critical aspects of our jobs." What Happens Next In the absence of a last-minute resolution of the dispute, the airline will be grounded in the early hours of Saturday.
