Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees , representing approximately 10,400 flight attendants, have reached a tentative agreement to end a strike that began over the weekend. The union announced the development in a Facebook post, stating that the agreement will be presented to its members for ratification.
The strike had significantly disrupted operations, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and affecting approximately 130,000 passengers daily. Air Canada and its affiliate, Air Canada Rouge, are among the largest carriers serving U.S.-bound flights.
A key issue in the negotiations was compensation for tasks such as boarding passengers, which are currently unpaid. Flight attendants are only compensated for time when the aircraft is in motion. CUPE aimed to secure improvements in compensation for these unpaid duties, similar to recent advancements made by flight attendants at U.S. carriers like American Airlines.
The tentative agreement is expected to stabilize operations at Air Canada, which had faced significant disruptions due to the strike. The airline plans a gradual resumption of service, with full operational restoration expected to take 7 to 10 days. Passengers affected by cancellations can request full refunds.
The resolution of this labor dispute highlights the importance of fair compensation for flight attendants and the impact of labor actions on airline operations and passengers. As the industry continues to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, such agreements are crucial for maintaining stability and ensuring quality service for travelers.
