Flight attendants working on Air Canada Express flights are currently in the process of voting to authorize a potential strike action due to stalled bargaining talks, as confirmed by their union. The Canadian Flight Attendant Union, representing approximately 1,000 flight attendants, is seeking a strike mandate after facing challenges in reaching an agreement with Jazz Aviation on critical issues despite nine months of negotiations with a mediator’s involvement.
The union expressed the necessity for a strong strike mandate to convey the seriousness of unresolved matters to Jazz Aviation. In response, a Jazz Aviation spokesperson stated the company’s dedication to achieving an agreement at the negotiation table without impacting its operations. The company is now pursuing the appointment of a conciliation officer as discussions with the Canadian Flight Attendant Union have hit an impasse.
Jazz Aviation, the primary operator for Air Canada Express flights, is owned by Chorus, not Air Canada. The union highlighted pay as one of the key concerns, emphasizing the need for fair compensation, recognition for ground duties, and improvements acknowledging the job’s impact on members’ lives. Despite some progress in recent months, substantial issues, including pay discrepancies with other Canadian airlines, remain unresolved.
The union stressed the importance of recognizing its members as safety professionals, citing their responsibilities in ensuring passenger safety during various flight procedures. Safety concerns were underscored following a tragic incident involving Air Canada Express Flight AC8646 in March. Safety, the union emphasized, starts with fair working conditions, proper rest, and respect for the crucial role flight attendants play in passenger safety and care daily.
Voting on the strike mandate concludes on Friday at noon. This development follows recent strikes by WestJet flight attendants and over 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants in the past year. The potential timeline for Air Canada Express flight attendants to initiate a strike, should they vote in favor of a strike mandate, remains uncertain.
