The deadline for when Air Canada's flight attendants can walk off the job looms, as the union and airline haven't reached an agreement on a new contract.
The Air Canada component of CUPE represents 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge.
The union has been in intense negotiations with its employer since Friday, Aug. 8, to try and reach a deal. The latest round of negotiations follows the union's decision to take job action if it couldn't agree on a fair contract with Air Canada.
On Monday, Aug. 11, union members picketed at airports across the country, including Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, and Montreal, raising awareness about key issues in the contract negotiations, most notably what it characterizes as "rampant abuse of unpaid work in the airline industry."
“There is very clear path for Air Canada to avoid job action: pay your workers when they’re on the clock, and pay them a wage that allows them to live and work in dignity. That isn’t an unreasonable ask,” said CUPE president Wesley Lesosky in a news release.
On Aug. 5, the union voted in favour of a strike if an agreement isn't reached.
Their collective agreement with the airline expired on March 31, 2025.
How much notice will travellers get before a strike takes place?
The employer must give a minimum 72-hour strike or lockout notice ahead of job action or travel disruptions.
Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick told V.I.A. that all flights are operating as normal and there is no impact on current operations.
"Our entire focus is on achieving a new negotiated settlement, so it is speculative and premature to discuss other outcomes," he said.
The 21-day cool-off period expires at 12:01 a.m. EDT on Saturday, Aug. 16. A strike cannot occur before this time at the earliest.
What will happen if a strike is called?
Air Canada has a dedicated section on its website for travellers who may be impacted by job action.
If operations are affected, the airline says it will notify customers via text message or email of any itinerary impacts.
Travellers can also check the status of flights online or download the Air Canada mobile app for up-to-date information.
Are travellers entitled to compensation for flights cancelled due to a strike?
Under Canada's Airline Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), customers are not eligible for compensation for delayed or cancelled flights, meals, hotels or other incidental expenses during labour disruptions.
Why did the union vote in favour of the strike?
The union strike vote began on July 28 and ended on Aug. 5, with members voting 99.7 per cent in favour of strike action if an agreement isn't reached.
The vote represents the frustration flight attendants grapple with following months of labour negotiations without making progress on "key issues like unpaid work, work rules, and poverty-level wages," according to a statement on the union's website.
Since 2000, the union says inflation has increased by 169 per cent and full-time wages have increased by 210 per cent in Canada. However, entry-level flight attendant wages have only increased by 10 per cent ($3 hourly) over the past 25 years.
Lesosky told V.I.A. that some of a flight attendant's most important and complex duties are performed in uniform, for free. Pre-flight activities, including identifying aircraft needs (such as de-icing or propeller abnormalities), safety checks (checking extinguishers, smoke hoods, and more), and ensuring that services are ready for passengers, including the lavatories and catering equipment, are completed without pay.
CUPE's airline division, which represents approximately 18,500 flight attendants across Canada, launched a campaign highlighting these issues. The "Unpaid Work Won't Fly" campaign states that employees work roughly 35 hours for free monthly.
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