Air Canada flight crew members have reached a tentative agreement with the airline, resolving a dispute that led to the grounding of flights and left thousands of passengers stranded since Saturday. The agreement, confirmed by both the union representing flight attendants and Air Canada, is expected to allow flights to resume later on Tuesday.
More than 10,000 flight attendants participated in the walkout, primarily protesting issues related to pay and scheduling. While the full details of the agreement have not been disclosed, the union characterized it as a significant advancement for workers and the industry. The agreement will undergo ratification by the union’s members.
Negotiations resumed after nine hours with the assistance of a government-appointed mediator. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) announced the end of the unpaid work period and encouraged its members to cooperate with the resumption of airline operations. The dispute had intensified after CUPE refused to comply with a Canadian Industrial Relations Board ruling that deemed the strike unlawful.
Following the announcement of a tentative deal, Air Canada stated that some flights would restart on Tuesday evening, although normal operations might take several days due to the current misalignment of aircraft and crew. The airline has chosen not to comment on the specifics of the agreement until member ratification is completed.
In prior negotiations, Air Canada had offered a 38% increase in total compensation for flight attendants over four years, including a 25% raise in the first year. CUPE countered that this offer fell below inflation rates and market value. The union also rejected a government order to enter binding arbitration during the strike, claiming it was influenced by corporate interests. In response to the situation, Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu has indicated a likely investigation into allegations of unpaid work in the airline sector. The strike has reportedly affected over 500,000 passengers and disrupted the airline’s routine operations.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cewyzg8rpxpo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss