Union representing Air Canada’s flight attendants files for conciliation as talks stall

The Air Canada flight attendants’ union has taken a significant step in their contract negotiations with the airline by filing for conciliation with the federal labour minister. The union, represented by the Air Canada component of CUPE, is advocating for improved compensation for its members, citing a starting salary of approximately $1,951 per month for full-time employees.

With their previous contract expiring in March, the union is pushing for a fair deal that reflects the current realities of their work environment. Union president Wesley Lesosky emphasized the increased workloads, rising cost of living, and deteriorating working conditions that flight attendants are facing on a daily basis. The union is determined to address these issues and ensure that their members are fairly compensated for their hard work.

One of the key issues that the union is looking to address is the loopholes in the Canada Labour Code that allow airlines to require flight attendants to work an average of 35 hours per month without pay. This unpaid work includes tasks such as boarding and deplaning, assisting passengers with mobility issues, and conducting pre-flight safety checks. The union is committed to closing these loopholes and ensuring that their members are fairly compensated for all the work they do.

In response to the union’s actions, Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick expressed the airline’s commitment to working with the federal mediation and conciliation service to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. He highlighted Air Canada’s history of successful labour relations and emphasized the importance of recognizing the valuable contributions of the flight attendants to the airline.

While specific details of the compensation negotiations were not disclosed, Fitzpatrick mentioned that the current compensation model is in line with industry standards. However, he also expressed openness to discussing this issue with the union as part of broader compensation talks.

Moving forward, a federal conciliation officer will be appointed to facilitate discussions between the airline and the union. This process will involve a 60-day negotiation period followed by a three-week cooling-off period. If an agreement is not reached during this time, the union may proceed with a strike after providing 72-hours’ notice following a strike vote.

The union is determined to advocate for fair compensation and improved working conditions for its members, and will continue to engage in negotiations with the airline to achieve a positive outcome for all parties involved.