Air Canada Flight Crew Dispute Resolved After Stranding Thousands
After days of chaos and frustration for passengers, flight crew at Air Canada have finally reached a resolution with the airline, putting an end to a dispute that had grounded flights and left thousands of travelers stranded since Saturday.
A tentative agreement was announced by the union representing flight attendants and confirmed by the airline, signaling a hopeful return to normalcy as flights are set to resume later on Tuesday. More than 10,000 staff had participated in the protest over pay and scheduling issues.
The details of the agreement have not been fully disclosed, but the union stated that it brings about “transformational change” for workers and the industry as a whole. The next step is for members to vote on ratification.
The breakthrough in negotiations came after nine hours of intense discussions with the assistance of a government-appointed mediator. “Unpaid work is over,” declared the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) in an early morning statement, emphasizing the historic significance of the negotiations for the industry.
The union has urged its members to cooperate fully with the resumption of operations. The dispute had escalated when CUPE rejected an order to return to work, which was deemed “unlawful” by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board.
In response to the tentative agreement, Air Canada announced that flights would gradually restart on Tuesday evening, although it may take some time to restore full service due to aircraft and crew being out of position. The terms of the deal will not be disclosed until after ratification.
During contract negotiations, Air Canada proposed a 38% increase in total compensation over four years for flight attendants, including a 25% raise in the first year. However, CUPE deemed the offer inadequate, citing concerns about wages falling below inflation and market value, and leaving attendants unpaid for certain hours of work.
Following the rejection of the government’s order for binding arbitration, Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu intervened to encourage both parties to resume talks and announced an investigation into allegations of unpaid work within the airline sector.
The strike, which lasted nearly four days, had a significant impact on over 500,000 passengers according to Air Canada. As Canada’s largest airline, operating around 700 flights daily, the resolution of the dispute brings hope for a smoother travel experience for domestic and international travelers alike. — BBC
