Potential Air Canada Strike: Flight Attendants Vote Overwhelmingly in Favour
Over 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants have cast an emphatic vote in favour of strike action, with a staggering 99.7% of members backing the move. This could potentially disrupt thousands of flights as early as August 16, 2025. The announcement comes from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) after contract negotiations reached a standstill over key issues such as wages, unpaid work, and working conditions.
The union represents flight attendants at both Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge. These employees have been without a collective bargaining agreement since their 10-year contract expired in March. A major point of contention is the average of 35 hours of unpaid work that flight attendants are currently expected to perform each month. This includes tasks such as safety checks, boarding assistance, and cabin preparation before doors close.
Air Canada, however, maintains there is “more than enough time” to reach an agreement and avoid disruptions. The airline has offered a 30% wage increase over four years, but negotiations remain at an impasse. If the strike goes ahead, it would affect Canada’s busiest airports, including Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, potentially impacting over 1,000 daily flights.
Source: CBC News