Air Canada Flight Attendants Strike, 130,000 Flights Cancelled Daily

UPDATE: More than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants have officially gone on strike, disabling the airline’s operations and leading to the cancellation of all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights. The strike commenced just before 1 a.m. ET on Saturday, impacting around 130,000 customers daily.

In a statement released early Saturday morning, Air Canada expressed regret over the disruption caused to its passengers. The airline confirmed that all flights would be grounded due to the work stoppage, while flights operated by Air Canada Express remain unaffected.

Picket lines have sprung up at major airports across Canada, including Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. Striking flight attendants also plan to protest at airports in Halifax, Ottawa, and Winnipeg. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) emphasized that negotiations with Air Canada have reached an impasse.

“We are heartbroken for our passengers. We do not want to go on strike, and we do not want to be locked out, but it is clear that Air Canada has no incentive to bargain,”

CUPE stated in a press release.

Earlier, Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu urged both parties to return to the negotiating table, indicating that she is not ready to intervene in the dispute. While Hajdu noted that many of the union’s demands have been met, CUPE remains resolute in its opposition to arbitration, insisting on resolving the impasse through direct bargaining.

Key issues include wages that have failed to keep pace with inflation over the past decade and compensation for unpaid labor when planes are not airborne. CUPE asserted, “Air Canada still refuses to compensate flight attendants for all hours worked,” furthering concerns that their last wage proposal would leave attendants living below poverty levels.

Polling from Abacus Data revealed that 59% of Canadians believe the federal government should respect the flight attendants’ right to strike, even if it disrupts travel. Additionally, 88% of respondents support the notion that flight attendants should be compensated for all work-related duties.

In response to the strike, Air Canada had previously proposed a 38% increase in total compensation over four years, claiming it would make flight attendants the best compensated in Canada. The proposal also includes enhanced health benefits, pension plans, and provisions for rest and work-life balance. Yet, the union argues that the proposal falls short of addressing their essential needs.

In anticipation of the strike, Air Canada cancelled over 600 flights in the preceding two days, affecting approximately 100,100 passengers. The airline is advising customers with imminent travel plans to refrain from heading to the airport unless they have a confirmed ticket with another airline.

For those whose flights have been cancelled, Air Canada is offering full refunds or the option to change travel plans without additional fees. Customers with upcoming flights that haven’t been cancelled can rebook or obtain travel credits.

The situation is developing rapidly, and the potential for prolonged disruption looms as both sides remain entrenched in their positions. Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.