Air Canada and Flight Attendants Reach Tentative Deal to End Strike
Air Canada and Flight Attendants Reach Tentative Deal to End Strike
After a disruptive, days-long strike that grounded flights and stranded hundreds of thousands of travelers, Air Canada and its unionized flight attendants have reached a tentative agreement. The deal, announced early Tuesday, will be presented to the 10,000 members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) for a ratification vote.
Key Details of the Agreement:
Strike Ends, Flights Resume: Following the announcement, the CUPE declared the strike officially over. Air Canada confirmed it will begin to "gradually restart its operations" starting Tuesday evening.
Resolution of Key Issues: A central point of contention in the dispute was the union's demand for compensation for "unpaid work," such as tasks performed on the ground before takeoff and after landing. The union's statement upon reaching the deal, "Unpaid work is over," suggests that this issue has been resolved in their favor. The airline had previously offered a 38% increase in total compensation over four years, but the union had rejected it.
Defying Back-to-Work Orders: The agreement was reached despite the union having defied two separate back-to-work orders from the Canada Industrial Relations Board, which had declared the strike illegal.
Ongoing Travel Disruptions: Air Canada has cautioned that it will take seven to ten days for its operations to return to normal due to aircraft and crews being "out of position" globally. As a result, some flight cancellations will continue during this period.
Advice for Passengers: The airline is advising customers with confirmed bookings to check their flight status before heading to the airport. For those with canceled flights, Air Canada is offering a full refund, a travel credit, or rebooking on other airlines where possible.
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