Air Canada is bracing for a significant disruption to its flight operations, planning to cancel approximately 500 flights by Friday, affecting around 100,000 passengers. The cancellations are in anticipation of a planned strike by its unionized flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which could commence on Saturday morning.
Mark Nasr, Chief Operations Officer at Air Canada, explained that the complexity of the carrier’s network necessitates a gradual wind-down of service to ensure safety and order. “It’s simply not the kind of system that we can start or stop at the push of a button,” he said. “So in order to have a safe and orderly wind down, we need to begin down.”
The dispute between Air Canada and CUPE centers on the compensation structure for flight attendants. While most airlines traditionally pay attendants only when planes are in motion, CUPE is seeking compensation for hours worked, including tasks like boarding passengers and waiting around the airport. Air Canada has offered a 38% increase in total compensation for flight attendants over four years, with a 25% raise in the first year. However, the union claims the offer to compensate attendants for unpaid work is insufficient, at only 50% of their hourly rate.
Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, Chief Human Resources Officer at Air Canada, emphasized the airline’s commitment to negotiations. “We are still available to bargain at any time on the condition that the negotiation has substance,” she said. Conversely, the CUPE spokesperson believes Air Canada wants the federal government to intervene and bail them out, stating, “We believe the company wants the federal government to intervene and bail them out.”
Canadian Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu has urged both parties to return to the bargaining table, expressing concern over the potential disruption. “I understand this dispute is causing a great deal of frustration and anxiety to Canadians who are travelling or worrying about how they will get home,” she said. “I urge both parties to put their differences aside, come back to the bargaining table and get this done now for the many travelers who are counting on you.”
The strike would not only impact Air Canada’s operations but also affect the country’s tourism sector during the peak summer travel season. US carrier United Airlines, a code-share partner of Air Canada, has issued a travel waiver to help customers manage their travel plans.
Air Canada has begun notifying customers whose flights are cancelled and is offering full refunds. The airline recommends that customers check their flight status online or via the mobile app before heading to the airport. Restarting operations would take a week to complete, according to Nasr. To mitigate the impact, Air Canada has offered flexible rebooking policies for affected customers.
As the situation unfolds, passengers are advised to stay informed and plan accordingly to minimize disruptions to their travel plans.
