Meanwhile, nearly 4,500 Air Canada flight attendants are on the verge of striking after an 83-percent vote in favor of strike action. The union representing the flight attendants, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), has been engaged in contract negotiations with the airline since the beginning of the year. Last week, these conciliation talks wrapped up without an agreement and so CUPE decided to call a national day of action.
The vote on the strike mandate ended last Tuesday. A historic 99.7 percent of Air Canada flight attendants supported the strike mandate. This strike mandate allows them to initiate a walkout as early as August 16 at 12:01 a.m., although they are required to provide at least 72 hours’ notice before any strike action occurs.
National Day of Action Planned
In an effort to raise awareness about their wages and working conditions, CUPE has planned a national day of action. This national day of action will feature picket lines at airports in four major Canadian cities on Monday. The union is focused on raising awareness about the airline’s “poverty wages” that many flight attendants are paid.
CUPE recently brought attention to unpaid work done by flight attendants while planes are grounded. The union is adamant that such conditions make for an extremely hazardous work environment. Given this environment, it’s critically important for the flight attendants to fight for improved pay and quality of life benefits.
Upcoming Bargaining Talks
As the battle heats up, with an essentially lockout just two hours away, Air Canada flight attendants are set to return to bargaining table with their employer on Friday. It will give both parties a fair opportunity to fix the all-important industry grievances that have brought us to this moment. The result of these talks will have the profound ability to shape the future of Air Canada’s business model and the livelihoods of its workers.
CUPE representatives have made it clear that they will continue to fight for fair wages and better working conditions for flight attendants. Monitoring Employee Morale They argue that a positive outcome from the negotiation must be reached for the sake of employees’ morale and operational efficiency.
The Stakes for Air Canada
The looming strike presents major stakes for Air Canada, especially with summer and fall travel seasons underway. 91 percent of United’s flight attendants have supported the strike mandate. Unless the airline comes to a resolution very soon, we may witness widespread chaos. The outcome of this dispute will not only affect Air Canada’s operational capabilities but the livelihoods of those who serve on the front lines of its service.
