Air Canada had tentatively settled with its flight attendants’ union. This deal well ends the three-day strike. The strike, resolved August 19, serious affected travel plans for thousands of customers. The involvement of a federal mediator was critical in helping bring the resolution between the airline and its flight attendants.
The new tentative deal marks the largest wage increases ever achieved for flight attendants. This translates to an average 12% jump in pay for junior flight attendants and 8% increase for longer-term attendants. These increases only apply for the year in which the contract was entered. In addition, the contract creates a new pay formula for all time worked while aircraft are on the ground.
The announcement comes from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the union that represents Air Canada’s flight attendants. They reported that flight attendants just voted down the first round of offers. Voting on the tentative agreement opened on August 27, with results anticipated shortly after the September 6 close of the balloting.
Representing more than 10,000 members, CUPE has been vocal about the significance of this agreement in advancing wage growth for its workers. The statement released by the union reflected a careful approach to communication, noting, “The statement was one of multiple drafts prepared for different outcomes in anticipation of voting closing tomorrow, Saturday, September 6. To be clear, voting has not ended, and the result of the vote will not be known until after 3PM ET on Saturday, September 6.”
The agreement goes beyond wage increases to improve the overall working conditions for flight attendants. The Agreement sets an unambiguous pay scale for the time spent on the ground. This strategic maneuver intends to increase workplace morale and reduce operational dysfunctions from within Air Canada.
