Air Canada, flight attendants resume talks as days-old strike continues
Air Canada and the union representing 10,000 flight attendants have resumed talks late Monday for the first time since the strike by the flight attendants began over the weekend. The walkout has affected about 130,000 travelers a day at the peak of the summer travel season.
The meeting between the two sides occurred with the assistance of a mediator in Toronto, marking the first time they have talked since early Saturday or late Friday. The union had previously declared that the flight attendants would not return to work, despite the strike being declared illegal.
Earlier, Air Canada had announced rolling cancellations extending to Tuesday afternoon after the union defied a second return-to-work order. The airline had initially stated that operations would resume Monday evening, but the union president clarified that this would not happen.
Mark Hancock, the national president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), stated, “We will not be returning to the skies.” The Canada Industrial Relations Board had deemed the strike illegal and ordered the flight attendants back on the job, but the union decided to defy the directive.
The union leaders also ignored a weekend order to submit to binding arbitration and end the strike by Sunday afternoon. The board had instructed the union to provide written notice to all members by noon Monday to resume their duties.
When asked about the repercussions the union was willing to face for defying the labor board’s orders, Hancock expressed determination, stating, “There’s no limit. We’re going to stay strong.” He emphasized the importance of finding a solution at the bargaining table.
Labor leaders have been critical of the Canadian government’s use of a law that restricts workers’ right to strike and forces them into arbitration. Prime Minister Mark Carney urged both parties to resolve the issue quickly and emphasized the need for fair compensation for flight attendants.
The federal government is launching a probe into the union’s allegations that flight attendants are not paid for work done while airplanes are on the ground. Air Canada operates around 700 flights per day, and the airline estimated that 500,000 customers would be affected by flight cancellations.
Passengers whose flights are impacted are eligible to request a full refund on the airline’s website or mobile app. The airline and CUPE have been in contract talks for about eight months, with pay and unpaid work being key issues of contention.
The airline’s latest offer included a 38% increase in total compensation over four years, but the union argued that the proposed 8% raise in the first year did not adequately address inflation concerns.
The strike has left many passengers stranded and frustrated, with some facing job losses and financial difficulties due to flight cancellations. The situation remains unresolved as both parties continue negotiations to reach a resolution.
