Ottawa
—
Air Canada is making ready to lock out its flight attendants who voted to go on strike this weekend. Travel disruptions might begin Thursday and might proceed till a deal is reached.
The airline stated it will droop operations on Saturday and might stay shut down until a deal is reached.
The union, represented nationally by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, gave a strike discover in accordance to the airline, which triggered a 72-hour lockout discover by Air Canada efficient Aug. 16. Nearly all members, 99.7% of the membership voted to strike, the union stated.
“For the past nine months, we have put forward solid, data-driven proposals on wages and unpaid work, all rooted in fairness and industry standards,” stated Wesley Lesosky, president of the Air Canada Component of CUPE. “Air Canada’s response to our proposals makes one thing clear: they are not interested in resolving these critical issues.”
The airline stated after eight months of negotiations and a suggestion to enter arbitration, the 2 sides failed to attain a tentative settlement. On August 11, the airline despatched a proposal to the union that supplied a 38% compensation improve over 4 years, the airline stated, amongst different advantages and protections. Instead, the strike discover was issued by the union.
As a end result, the airline will lock out its flight attendants this weekend. “We will begin implementing our contingency plan to gradually begin an orderly wind down of operations,” a statement from Air Canada learn.
Air Canada said it anticipates the primary flights will likely be canceled on August 14 and extra on August 15, till a whole cessation happens on August 16.
Air Canada has almost 430 daily flights between Canada and the US at over 50 US airports. Air Canada flies roughly 130,000 prospects a day, the airline stated.
According to the local union’s website, the union is pursuing 100% pay for all hours of labor and price of residing enhancements. Boarding pay has been a subject of negotiation at US airways, as many don’t pay flight attendants their hourly wage for a crucial a part of the flight.
Patty Hajdu, Canadian minister of jobs and households stated in a statement she has met with the flight attendants union and the airline. Federal mediators, she stated, will stay out there till a deal is reached.
“I am closely monitoring the situation and encourage both parties to stay at the table until a deal is found,” her assertion learn.