Over 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants may walk off the job on August 16 if no deal is reached, with supporters planning protests this Monday to back the union.
Air Canada’s cabin crew could soon walk off the job, with more than 10,000 flight attendants ready to strike if a contract deal isn’t reached by Friday, August 15. Union members began visible demonstrations on Monday at Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary airports, quietly standing in uniform to show solidarity while talks continue.
Shanyn Elliott, co-chair of CUPE’s Mobilization and Engagement Committee, says the silent presence is a show of unity as negotiations enter a critical phase. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents Air Canada flight attendants, has set August 16 at 12:01 a.m. ET as the earliest possible strike start time if talks fail.
Dispute Over Pay and Unpaid Work
A central sticking point is compensation. Flight attendants say they are not paid for many duties outside of flying time — including safety checks, boarding, deplaning, and even providing emergency medical aid before takeoff. Elliott says this work, though essential, goes unpaid.
Flight attendants also share frustrations over delays. Passengers may receive compensation for disruptions, she noted, while the crew working during those delays gets nothing.
Confusion Over Wage Offers
Bloomberg reported this week that Air Canada had proposed a 32.5% wage increase, along with addressing ground pay. The airline confirmed to media that it has made an offer it says would make its attendants the best-paid in Canada, but CUPE disputes the claim, saying no such proposal has been officially tabled.
Air Canada’s vice-president of communications, Christophe Hennebelle, said the airline is committed to reaching a deal that reflects the crew’s value and supports the company’s growth. But with no agreement in place, tension remains high.
Strong Strike Mandate
Last week, 99.7% of CUPE’s Air Canada members voted in favour of strike action. By law, the union must give 72 hours’ notice, meaning it would have to inform the airline by Wednesday to strike on Saturday.
Advice for Travellers
For passengers, the looming strike could mean major disruptions. Travel insurance specialist Martin Firestone warns it’s already too late to buy trip cancellation coverage for this issue, as it’s now considered a “known cause.”
Instead, he suggests booking refundable tickets with another airline as a safeguard. While more expensive, it could save travellers from losing non-refundable hotel bookings and other costs if the strike goes ahead.
