Air Canada–Flight Attendants Dispute Escalates
Tensions between Air Canada and its flight attendants have reached a boiling point after the union served a 72-hour strike notice on Aug. 13. The airline quickly responded with its own lockout notice, set to take effect Saturday, potentially grounding thousands of passengers during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Operations to Wind Down Before Lockout
To prevent sudden chaos for travelers, Air Canada announced a phased wind-down starting Thursday. This includes gradual flight cancellations leading up to a complete halt for Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights on Saturday. Air Canada Express services will remain unaffected. The airline has also requested government-directed arbitration, pointing to recent federal interventions in other transportation labour disputes.
Government Watching Closely
Federal Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu confirmed she has met with both sides and that federal mediators will stay involved until a resolution is found. While urging both parties to negotiate directly, Hajdu emphasized that the best agreements are those reached without imposed terms.
Union Pushes for Wage Justice
Representing roughly 10,000 crew members, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is demanding wage increases that match inflation and an end to unpaid work hours spent on tasks like boarding, deplaning, and safety checks. CUPE president Wesley Lesosky highlighted that some junior attendants earn barely $1,952 per month, forcing locals to set up food banks for members struggling to afford groceries.
Air Canada Calls Demands ‘Unsustainable’
The airline claims it has offered a 38 percent pay increase over four years and has pledged to address “ground pay” concerns. However, Air Canada says CUPE’s wage requests go beyond what it considers sustainable. CEO Michael Rousseau expressed regret for the disruption’s potential impact on 130,000 daily passengers but stressed that the union’s actions left no choice but to move forward with an orderly suspension of operations.
Impact on Passengers
Air Canada warns that rebooking may be challenging due to peak summer demand and limited seats on other carriers. Affected customers will be contacted about alternatives where possible, and refunds will be available through the airline’s website.
Stay tuned to Surreyspeak for updates on this developing labour dispute. Surreyspeak — keeping you connected to the news that matters.
