Urgent: Air Canada Cancels Flights Amid Looming Work Stoppage—What You Need to Know

Air Canada has begun canceling flights as worries grow about a potential strike by flight attendants. This disruption could affect around 130,000 travelers daily.

The union for about 10,000 flight attendants issued a 72-hour strike notice, leading Air Canada to respond with a lockout notice. Mark Nasr, the Chief Operations Officer, noted that flights would gradually be grounded, with all operations halted by Saturday morning. He stated, “This measure allows us to restart operations in an orderly fashion, a process that may take up to a week.”

By Friday, the airline expects to cancel around 500 flights, leaving many travelers stranded, particularly 25,000 Canadians currently abroad. To alleviate this, Air Canada plans to offer full refunds and arrange alternative travel options with other airlines.

The union claims significant issues remain unresolved, focusing on wages and unpaid hours when flights are not in the air. They argue that many flight attendants face “poverty wages.” Signs during a union news conference read, “Unpaid work won’t fly” and “Poverty wages = UnCanadian.”

Arielle Meloul-Wechsler from Air Canada revealed they have proposed a 38% increase in compensation over four years. Still, the union insists they want an agreement that addresses their concerns fairly. Natasha Stea, a union representative, expressed hope for a resolution, stating, “If we sit down and talk, we can reach an agreement.”

Interestingly, this situation is reminiscent of a near strike by Air Canada pilots last year, which was averted when they reached an agreement just before issuing a strike notice. Many pilots have now voiced their support for flight attendants, advocating for their bargaining rights.

Federal officials have urged both parties to settle the matter themselves, noting that agreements are best reached at the negotiating table.

The ongoing issues have highlighted a broader concern in the airline industry—labor disputes over wages and working conditions. According to a recent survey, over 60% of airline employees believe their compensation does not match their job demands. It raises questions about how airlines will handle labor relations in the future.

As this situation develops, it serves as a reminder for all travelers to stay informed about their flight statuses and understand their rights regarding cancellations and refunds.

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Air Canada, Mark Nasr, Canada, Strikes, Labor unions, General news, Business, Compensation and benefits, World news, Patty Hajdu, Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, Natasha Stea, World News