Union Members to Take Action if the Airline Refuses to Negotiate Wages

More than 10,000 Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants represented by the Air Canada Component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) have voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike, if needed. The vote, which closed with 99.7% support for job action, comes after stalled contract negotiations.

The union cites ongoing issues with unpaid labor, outdated work rules, and what it calls “poverty wages” as the key reasons behind the strike mandate. According to CUPE, Air Canada has refused to meaningfully engage on these topics at the bargaining table, despite months of talks.

"The company would rather drag their feet than negotiate on the things that matter to our members," said Wesley Lesosky, President of the Air Canada Component of CUPE. “Now, flight attendants have had a chance to weigh in and tell the company it’s time to get serious about negotiating.”

The union referenced a pretty significant wage gap between the broader Canadian economy and what new flight attendants earn. Since 2000, inflation has risen 169% and average wages in Canada are up 210%. Meanwhile, entry-level flight attendants at Air Canada have seen only a 10% wage increase over 25 years…about $3 more per hour.

On top of that, CUPE claims that flight attendants are not paid for a range of required duties, including boarding, deplaning, safety checks, and handling in-flight medical or safety incidents. These unpaid hours can add up significantly, especially on long-haul or irregular flights.

Air Canada has reported billions in profits in recent years, but Lesosky argues that little of that has benefited frontline workers. “They can afford to pay us fairly without raising costs for the public,” he said.

While the strike vote clears a legal hurdle, it does not guarantee a work stoppage. The earliest flight attendants could legally go on strike is August 16 at 12:01 am ET. In the meantime, talks are expected to continue in hopes of reaching a deal and avoiding disruption to air travel.

FMI: www.aircanada.com