Air Canada Flight Attendants Remain on Strike
On Sunday, Air Canada flight attendants continued their strike, resulting in the major airline delaying its plans to resume operations, despite an order from the Government Labor Commission for them to return to work.
Beginning just after 1 a.m. on Saturday, the strike has halted most of the airline’s 700 daily flights, leaving over 100,000 passengers stranded. While the airline aimed to restart services on Sunday night, those plans were scrapped after the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) advised its members against returning to work.
According to a press release from Air Canada, about 240 flights scheduled for that afternoon were canceled. CUPE, which represents over 10,000 flight attendants, has set up picket lines outside major airports, advocating for enhanced wages and better working conditions.
CUPE indicated that flight attendants would only be compensated if planes were in motion, meaning they wouldn’t receive pay for ground activities such as boarding or delays.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Mark Kearney’s government stepped in, urging the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to enforce binding arbitration. However, this order met with opposition from the union.
In accordance with Canada’s labor laws, the government can request that the CIRB impose arbitration to safeguard the economy.
Wesley Lesosky, president of CUPE’s Air Canada Components, stated there were no scheduled negotiation sessions as of Saturday morning, emphasizing the ongoing talks had been inconsistent for months. He expressed frustration, saying, “We’re not going to accept working for free anymore.”
While Air Canada proposed a package that would raise overall compensation by 38% over four years, the union contested that only 50% of wages for ground operations were being offered, rather than full hourly rates.
Lesosky mentioned that Air Canada claims to provide the highest compensation for flight attendants in Canada. They contend that the cabin crew already earns significantly more than their counterparts at the airline’s biggest domestic competitor. The airline stated it offers competitive wages, which would include an hourly base increase and other benefits, but the union remains steadfast in its demands for further negotiations.
Air Canada is advising affected customers to avoid the airport unless they possess confirmed reservations with other airlines. In light of the situation, they are offering options for canceled flights, including full refunds or credits for future travel.
