The union representing more than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants could issue a strike notice on Tuesday, paving the way for a walkout as early as Saturday.
As Canada’s largest airline continues to negotiate with employees at the bargaining table, it is fast approaching Aug. 16, the earliest date flight attendants would be in a legal strike position.
The Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) can serve a 72-hour strike notice at any time, but would need to do so by the end of the day Tuesday if it intends to walk off the job at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday.
“The union remains at the bargaining table and is eager to reach a deal to avert a strike,” said Hugh Pouliot, the spokesperson of CUPE.
About 700 Air Canada flight attendants held a “national day of action” at Toronto Pearson airport on Monday over what they called “poverty-level wages,” with simultaneous demonstrations taking place at other major Canadian airports.
Negotiations have been ongoing since the beginning of the year, as the 10-year contract expired in March. On Aug. 5, CUPE members voted 99.7 per cent in favour of a strike mandate, with only 0.3 per cent voting against.
Travel and labour experts have told the Star that a work stoppage would ground Air Canada flights, but the airline could pressure Ottawa to impose a back-to-work order.
If travellers face a flight cancellation, Air Canada would be legally responsible for finding alternative transportation for passengers within 48 hours of their original itinerary — a task experts say could be difficult during the peak summer season.
