The union representing approximately 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge has recently initiated conciliation proceedings with Canada’s federal minister of labour. This move comes in response to ongoing challenges in contract negotiations, which have reached a standstill.
Wesley Lesosky, President of CUPE’s Airline Division, stated, “We’ve made fair, reasonable, and long-overdue proposals, but the company appears to be dragging its feet and not taking the process seriously.” The union’s actions highlight the urgency of addressing the concerns and expectations of their members amidst rising costs and demanding workloads.
Conciliation Process Explained
Upon appointment, a federal conciliation officer will have a period of 60 days to mediate discussions between the union and the airline. If a resolution is not achieved, a mandatory 21-day cooling-off period will ensue. After this period, the union can issue a 72-hour notice for potential job action, depending on the results of a forthcoming strike vote.
Contract Expiration and Worker Concerns
The current contract, which has been in place since March 31, 2015, is now expired. Lesosky emphasized that the company is ignoring the new challenges faced by employees: “Our workloads have soared, the cost of living has skyrocketed beyond belief, and our working conditions are getting worse by the day. The status quo won’t cut it.”
Focus on Ending Unpaid Work
A primary objective for the union is to eliminate unpaid work, a significant issue underscored in CUPE’s Unfair Canada campaign, launched in December 2024. Currently, entry-level full-time flight attendants earn just $1,951.30 per month—an income deemed unsustainable by the union.
Air Canada’s Response
In response to the union’s actions, Air Canada’s spokesperson, Peter Fitzpatrick, assured that the airline is committed to working alongside the federal mediation and conciliation service to reach a fair agreement. He noted, “Air Canada has a long history of successful labour relations and fruitful negotiations with its employees.” Fitzpatrick refrained from divulging specific details about the ongoing negotiations but acknowledged the importance of compensation discussions. “We are certainly open to discussing this item with the union as part of a broader conversation about overall compensation in our contract talks,” he added.
Proposals Beyond Compensation
The union is also advocating for improvements in scheduling, safety protocols, fatigue protections, retirement security, and overall working conditions. Specifically, CUPE is pressuring the federal government through its Unpaid Work Won’t Fly campaign to amend the Canada Labour Code. Current legislation permits airlines to require approximately 35 hours of unpaid work each month, including activities like boarding, deplaning, and conducting safety checks. So far, the federal government has not enacted significant reform.
As both parties prepare for the conciliation process, the stakes are high for Air Canada’s flight attendants, whose demands for fair wages and improved working conditions reflect broader discussions within the aviation industry.
