Air Canada threatens shutdown as flight attendants strike

Air Canada Flight Attendant Strike Looms

Air Canada heads toward a potential stoppage as the carrier cancels hundreds of flights, affecting >100,000 passengers and giving flight attendants a legal window to strike.

Union Demands and Flight Cancellation

• CUPE represents 10,000 flight attendants and delivered a 72‑hour strike notice on Wednesday.
• As of 8:00 pm Friday, Air Canada canceled 623 flights and is winding down operations in anticipation of a possible work stoppage.
• CB C B reported the strike could start around 1:00 am if no deal is reached.

Compensation Issues Spotlighted

• CUPE demands wage increases and compensation for ground work, including boarding assistance.
• University of Toronto’s Center for Industrial Relations dean Rafael Gomez notes it is common practice worldwide to pay flight attendants based on time spent in the air.
• He points out that passengers can perceive unfairness when a flight attendant helps them but is not paid for that work.

Air Canada’s Counteroffer

• Air Canada offered that a senior flight attendant would earn an average CAN$87,000 ($65,000) by 2027.
• CUPE described the offer as below inflation and below market value.
• The union rejected federal government and Air Canada proposals for independent arbitration.

Potential Strike Duration

Gomez believes the stoppage would be short because it is peak season. He says the airline is almost playing chicken with the flight attendants, risking hundreds of millions in revenue.