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Air Canada and the flight attendants' union are heading towards a resolution.

Air Canada's flight attendant union has sought assistance from the federal mediation and conciliation service, proposing conciliation, due to a stalemate in discussions with the airline.

Air Canada's flight attendant union submits demand for a reliable mediation process following the...
Air Canada's flight attendant union submits demand for a reliable mediation process following the stagnation of negotiations with the airline.

Air Canada and the flight attendants' union are heading towards a resolution.

Air Canada Flight Attendants' Union Stands Firm After Negotiations Stall

The aircrew workforce under the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) banner, representing a whopping 10,000 Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants, is pressing hard following a stalemate in wage negotiations with the airline. Over a year since their contract's expiration on March 31, 2025, they've escalated the issue by filing for a conciliation meeting with the federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

The union's primary battle cry is a substantial wage hike, with a targeted starting salary of around $1951 per month for entry-level positions. Union head, Wesley Lesosky, called out the airline in a press release, claiming that, "We can no longer settle for the status quo as reality has drastically shifted since 2015, but the employer remains obstinate, failing to acknowledge this."

The union asserts that their workload has noticeably escalated, living expenses have skyrocketed, and workplace conditions have deteriorated over time. Now, they're setting their sights on compelling changes to loopholes in the Canada Labour Code that, according to them, permit airlines to demand flight attendants work an average of 35 hours a month without compensation for tasks such as boarding and deplaning, catering to passengers with reduced mobility, and pre-flight security checks[1][3][5].

Air Canada spokesperson, Peter Fitzpatrick, maintains a cooperative stance, affirming the airline's intention to engage in the conciliation process with the federal government to broker a deal that recognizes the flight attendants' invaluable contributions[2]. He further highlights Air Canada's tradition of fruitful labor relations, citing recent successful negotiations with its workforce as evidence[2].

Nevertheless, Mr. Fitzpatrick remains tight-lipped on wage-specific negotiations, stressing that the current model aligns with the majority of global airlines. Yet, he assures that Air Canada is open to discussing remuneration with the union as part of broader discussions within the context of negotiations[2].

Once appointed, a federal conciliator will embark on a 60-day labor mediation process with the airline and the union, followed by a 21-day cooling-off period. If an agreement is not reached during this time, the union has hinted at escalating matters by issuing a 72-hour strike notice following a strike vote[3]. This could potentially trigger pressure tactics and potentially put a damper on Air Canada's summer travel season in the coming months[3].

The union is seeking change in the finance and business sectors, advocating for the closing of loopholes in the Canada Labour Code that allow airlines like Air Canada to avoid compensating flight attendants for additional hours of work. In the transport industry, Air Canada's ongoing negotiations with the union may have significant implications for the summer travel season, depending on the resolution of the wage dispute.

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