Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)—representing more than 10,000 flight attendants—are back at the negotiating table after an overwhelming 99.7 percent of union members voted in favor of a strike mandate, Reuters reports.
The vote gives CUPE the option to deliver a 72-hour strike notice, paving the way for a possible walkout starting at 12:01 a.m. ET on August 16.
The dispute comes after the March 31 expiration of a decade-long collective agreement. While contract discussions carried on into May, progress stalled, and CUPE declared the talks at an impasse. The union is pushing for higher wages, stronger safety and fatigue measures, improved working conditions and enhanced retirement security.
An electronic strike vote, held between July 28 and August 5, followed unsuccessful conciliation efforts earlier in the summer. CUPE has repeatedly pointed to “poverty-level wages” for junior crew members, unpaid work during duties such as boarding and deplaning, unpredictable scheduling and limited support for essential safety responsibilities.
Air Canada’s Position
The airline describes the strike vote as a normal stage in collective bargaining and notes that a mandatory 21-day cooling-off period must pass before any job action can legally take place. Air Canada says it remains confident that an agreement can be reached and maintains that there is still “more than enough time” to prevent disruptions to peak summer travel.
What This Means for Travelers
If no deal is reached, service interruptions could begin in mid-August, potentially affecting domestic and international routes. Delays, cancellations and reduced onboard services are possible. Passengers are advised to:
- Keep a close eye on reservations.
- Book flexible or refundable fares where possible.
- Consider travel insurance to cover unexpected changes.
