Air Canada is set to lock out its flight attendants after the union voted overwhelmingly to strike, potentially disrupting travel starting Thursday and continuing until a resolution is reached.
The airline announced it would suspend operations beginning Saturday, with the shutdown continuing until an agreement is finalized.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents the flight attendants nationally, issued a strike notice, prompting Air Canada to trigger a 72-hour lockout effective August 16.
According to the union, 99.7% of its members voted in favour of striking.
“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.”
Air Canada stated that after eight months of negotiations and an offer to enter arbitration, no tentative agreement was reached.
On August 11, the airline submitted a proposal to the union offering a 38% pay increase over four years, along with additional benefits and protections. The union responded by issuing the strike notice.
As a result, the airline will proceed with a lockout of flight attendants this weekend. “We will begin implementing our contingency plan to gradually begin an orderly wind down of operations,” Air Canada said in a statement.
The airline expects some flights to be canceled starting August 14, with further cancellations on August 15, leading up to a full suspension on August 16.
Air Canada operates nearly 430 daily flights between Canada and the U.S., serving more than 50 U.S. airports and transporting approximately 130,000 passengers per day.
The union’s website notes that it is demanding full pay for all hours worked and adjustments for cost-of-living increases.
Boarding pay has been a major sticking point in U.S. airline negotiations, as many flight attendants are not compensated for critical portions of the flight.
Canadian Minister of Jobs and Families, Patty Hajdu, said she has met with both the union and the airline. Federal mediators, she added, will remain available to facilitate a resolution.
“I am closely monitoring the situation and encourage both parties to stay at the table until a deal is found,” Hajdu said.
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