Air Canada flight attendants have issued a 72-hour strike notice, potentially leading to a work stoppage on August 16, 2024. In response, Air Canada announced a corresponding lock-out notice, indicating preparations to suspend flights. This situation marks the first complete operational shutdown of Air Canada due to labor disputes since the 1998 pilots’ strike, which lasted for eleven days.
The implications of a strike could severely disrupt travel plans for numerous passengers during the peak summer season. Air Canada and its regional partner, Air Canada Rouge, typically transport around 130,000 passengers daily. Approximately 25,000 of these travelers are returning to Canada from international destinations. Under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Rights, the airline is required to provide compensation and recourse to affected passengers in the event of flight cancellations.
The challenge lies in the availability of alternate seating on other carriers, which Air Canada is mandated to arrange for stranded passengers. This shortage could lead to cancelled vacations and family gatherings, with Air Canada offering refunds to those unable to secure new travel arrangements.
Negotiations Reach a Stalemate
Discussions between Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) have been ongoing since March 2024 but have reached an impasse, primarily over wage and labor conditions. CUPE has highlighted wage issues as a significant concern, with many junior flight attendants earning salaries that fall below the Canadian minimum wage.
Analysis of collective agreement wage rates for CUPE flight attendants reveals that salaries would need to increase by approximately 32 to 34 percent to match the purchasing power of their earnings in 2014, adjusted for inflation. Currently, Air Canada compensates flight attendants only when the aircraft is in motion, meaning any pre-boarding or post-deplaning work remains unpaid. CUPE contends that flight attendants perform around 35 hours of unpaid duties each month.
Efforts to rectify this issue have included the introduction of Bill C-415, a private member’s bill proposed by NDP MP Bonita Zarrillo in October 2024. The bill aimed to amend the Canada Labour Code to mandate payment for all pre-flight and post-flight activities, as well as training. Although the bill received its First Reading in Parliament, it did not advance and expired at the end of the parliamentary session in January 2025. Despite this setback, support for such legislation remains robust, as illustrated by a recent letter from the Leader of the Opposition to the Minister of Labour.
High Stakes Ahead
The collective bargaining strategies of CUPE and Air Canada reflect the high stakes involved. CUPE has been transparent about its objectives, advocating for fair wages and compensation for unpaid work, with a strong backing of 99.7 percent of union members voting in favor of a strike should negotiations fail.
Air Canada’s negotiation tactics mirror its approach during the 2024 negotiations with pilots, where government intervention was utilized to expedite an agreement. The looming strike deadline could prompt a similar response from the airline, as a work stoppage could result in financial losses estimated between $50 million and $60 million per day.
Historically, negotiations between Air Canada and its flight attendants have been marked by political intrigue, a factor that may complicate current discussions. Should a strike occur, it is anticipated that Air Canada will quickly return to the negotiation table in an effort to reach a resolution that satisfies both parties.
