Air Canada Flight Attendants Seek Conciliation Amid Stalled Contract Talks
The union representing 10,000 Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants has filed for conciliation with the federal labour minister after hitting a deadlock in contract negotiations. The Air Canada component of CUPE said its top concern is low compensation, with entry-level full-time salaries around $1,951 per month.
The previous agreement, in place since 2015, expired in March. Union president Wesley Lesosky said soaring workloads, inflation, and deteriorating working conditions demand urgent changes, adding, “The status quo won’t cut it.”
The union is also fighting to eliminate unpaid labour, citing loopholes in the Canada Labour Code that allow airlines to require an average of 35 unpaid hours per month. Tasks such as boarding, deplaning, safety checks, and assisting passengers often go uncompensated.
Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick said the airline will work with the federal mediation and conciliation service to reach a fair deal, emphasizing the carrier’s strong history of labour relations. While declining to discuss specifics, Fitzpatrick said the current pay model aligns with global standards but remains open to compensation talks.
Once a federal conciliation officer is appointed, the parties will have 60 days to reach an agreement, followed by a 21-day cooling-off period. If no deal is reached, the union may proceed with a strike vote and could issue 72 hours’ notice of job action.
Source: Swifteradio.com
