Strike and lockout notices issued in Air Canada flight attendants dispute.
The union representing Air Canada’s flight attendants has given the airline 72 hours’ notice of strike action, setting the stage for a possible work stoppage early Saturday morning.
CUPE, which represents cabin crews at both Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, served the notice early Wednesday after the two sides failed to reach a new collective agreement. The move means members could walk off the job at 12:58 a.m. ET Saturday.
Air Canada issued its own lockout notice to CUPE about 30 minutes later.
The airline says it reached an “impasse” in negotiations after the union declined its proposal to enter binding arbitration, which would have suspended both strike and lockout rights while an arbitrator determined the terms of a new deal. CUPE told members earlier this week that the company had decided it no longer wanted to negotiate.
Federal Labour Minister Patty Hajdu says she’s met with CUPE members during negotiations and is urging both sides to remain at the table until an agreement is reached. “Federal mediators will remain available until a deal is reached,” Hajdu said. “The best agreements are the ones the parties reach themselves. Canadians expect them to reach a deal one way or another.”
Air Canada says customers whose flights are cancelled in the event of a stoppage will be notified and eligible for full refunds through its website or mobile app.
Last week, flight attendants voted 99.7 per cent in favour of giving the union a strike mandate, which remains in effect for 60 days.
More to come…
