Air Canada Flight Attendants Strike Vote Moves Forward, Disruptions Possible by Mid-August
Over 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge are moving one step closer to a potential strike as tensions escalate in stalled contract talks. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents the workers, has officially launched a strike vote running from July 28 to August 5.
If approved, the union could be in a legal strike position as early as mid to late August, following the end of the mandatory cooling-off period after conciliation. The earliest potential strike date is estimated to fall between August 16 and August 26, depending on legal interpretations.
The flight attendants have been working without a contract since March 31, when their previous collective agreement expired. CUPE says the negotiations reached a standstill back in May, and the federal conciliation process has failed to produce an agreement.
The union is demanding better wages, increased per diems, fair compensation for unpaid work such as pre-flight duties, improved pension plans, and updated work rules. A key issue is the starting wage for flight attendants, which the union says is just under $2,000 per month—a figure they argue is unsustainable for full-time workers in major cities.
If no deal is reached, the strike could significantly impact domestic and international flights across Canada, particularly at major hubs like Toronto Pearson. Unlike weather-related delays, labour disruptions are not covered by Canada’s air passenger protection regulations, meaning affected passengers may not be eligible for compensation.
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This development comes as other carriers face their own labour challenges. Air Transat narrowly avoided a strike through a successful contract vote, while Porter Airlines is currently undergoing unionization efforts.
Travelers planning late summer trips are advised to monitor updates closely as the situation develops.
