MONTREAL- Air Canada (AC) is facing potential labour unrest as its flight attendants prepare to vote on strike action. The vote comes after negotiations with the airline failed to produce a new agreement, prompting concerns among travellers through Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and other major Canadian hubs.
The Air Canada Component of CUPE, representing 10,000 flight attendants at both Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, is calling for a strike vote following the expiration of their collective agreement on March 31, 2025.
The union’s bargaining efforts have focused on securing better pay and fair working conditions.

Air Canada Flight Attendants Strike Vote
Union representatives cite several unresolved matters as the basis for seeking a strike mandate. These include base pay, unpaid labour, daily allowances (per diems), pensions, duty regulations, and rest requirements.
According to the union, full-time entry-level flight attendants earn just $1,951.30 per month, a wage they describe as unsustainable, especially given the nature and scope of their responsibilities.
Additionally, the union highlights that flight attendants often complete complex pre-flight safety and preparation tasks, such as performing safety equipment checks, identifying technical concerns, and preparing cabin services without compensation.
The union’s broader campaign, Unpaid Work Won’t Fly, claims that Canadian flight attendants perform an estimated 35 hours of unpaid labour monthly.
The legally mandated conciliation process has concluded without agreement. As a result, a 21-day cooling-off period is now underway, during which negotiations may continue. The earliest a legal strike notice could be issued is August 26 at 12:01 AM EDT, following this cooling-off window.

Strike Vote Timeline and Procedures
The strike authorization vote opens at 2 PM EDT on Monday, July 28, and concludes at 2 PM EDT on Tuesday, August 5. The union is urging members to vote “Yes,” holding Zoom sessions to communicate the importance of securing a strike mandate.
Despite the vote, any strike action would only occur after a 72-hour notice is issued post-cooling period. This places the earliest potential disruption to travel services at the end of August.
Air Canada has expressed commitment to continuing talks. In a public statement, the airline emphasized its intent to reach a fair and equitable collective agreement and clarified that strike votes and notices are part of standard labour procedures, not a confirmation of travel delays or cancellations.

Passenger Rights
Travellers with bookings on Air Canada or planning to fly through major airports like Vancouver International (YVR), Calgary (YYC), and Toronto (YYZ) should be aware of their rights and options.
Under Canada’s Airline Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), customers are not eligible for compensation for delays or cancellations caused by labour disputes. This includes costs for meals, hotels, or incidental expenses.
If a strike does occur, Air Canada may provide flexible change options, including refunds and rebooking on partner airlines, as it has done in previous labour situations.
During similar circumstances in September involving the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the airline implemented such accommodations to reduce passenger disruption.

Broader Labour Issues
Air Canada flight attendants have operated under a long-term collective agreement for the past decade, which union leaders argue has not kept pace with rising workloads or inflation.
The broader CUPE airline division, representing over 18,500 Canadian flight attendants, continues to campaign for changes to labour standards across the aviation industry.
This ongoing labour friction highlights the critical role of flight attendants not just in customer service but in aviation safety and operational readiness.
The result of the upcoming vote could significantly influence the tone and trajectory of Canada’s airline labour negotiations in the months ahead.
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