Flight attendants at Air Canada AC.TO extended their strike into a fourth day on Tuesday, August 19. Despite this, the union announced that both parties have resumed negotiations, affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers with canceled flights during the busy summer travel season.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has defied a federal labor board’s order for flight attendants to return to work, creating a standoff between the company, workers, and the government. This situation is now being closely monitored by other labor organizations.
According to a statement on Facebook by CUPE on Monday night, the union has been in talks with Air Canada and mediator William Kaplan in Toronto, but the strike continues.
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The parties had not communicated since before the strike began. A source mentioned ongoing discussions about potential mediation, contingent upon the flight attendants returning to work.
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu encouraged both parties to consider government mediation and increased pressure on Air Canada by promising to investigate claims of unpaid work in the airline industry. Flight attendants have long argued for new contracts to include compensation for ground duties, like passenger boarding.
In a recent Reuters interview, Air Canada’s CEO defended the airline’s proposal of a 38% increase in flight attendants’ total compensation but acknowledged a significant divide with the union’s demands and did not propose a solution to the impasse.
The union claims Air Canada’s offer only results in a 17.2% wage increase over four years.
CUPE’s leader previously stated he would risk jail rather than allow cabin crews to be forced back to work by the labor board, which declared the strike illegal.
Despite the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) ruling the strike unlawful, the union insists it will persist until the airline negotiates on wages and unpaid work.
Retiree Klaus Hickman missed a flight to Toronto earlier in the week. Although he secured a new booking with another airline, he’s worried about making his connecting flight to Germany from Calgary.
Hickman supports workers seeking better pay but is concerned about his own health and travel difficulties.
“They need more money to survive, just like everyone else,” he said.
As Canada’s largest airline, Air Canada typically transports 130,000 passengers daily and is part of the global Star Alliance network.
Sleeping in airports
James Numfor, 38, from Regina, Saskatchewan, has been stranded in Toronto for two nights after returning from Cameroon for his brother’s funeral. Air Canada provided his family with only one hotel night, leaving them without further assistance.
“We sleep in the airport… we find any comfortable spot for the kids to lay down,” Numfor explained.
Numfor expressed feeling abandoned amid the management and union dispute.
The government has several options to end the strike, including court enforcement of the return-to-work order and requesting a swift hearing.
The minority government might attempt to pass legislation requiring political rival support and approval from both parliamentary houses, which are on hiatus until September 15, but it has been cautious so far.
Other labor groups are voicing support for the flight attendants. Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, Canada’s largest labor organization, told Reuters they are prepared to join the Air Canada strike if needed.
“All options are on the table for unions to escalate a fightback campaign,” said Bruske, whose organization represents 3 million Canadian workers. Assistance could include financial aid for CUPE’s legal expenses, she noted.
The Air Line Pilots’ Association, representing Air Canada pilots, encouraged its members to join the picket lines during their time off.
“Air Canada pilots support our flight attendant colleagues in their ongoing fight for a fair contract,” the association stated. “This is a pivotal moment for organized labor in Canada.”
