The Air Line Pilots Association, which represents more than 5,400 pilots at Air Canada, said a vote to approve a strike mandate passed with 98 percent support on Thursday. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press)
Air Canada pilots have strongly backed a strike mandate, potentially setting the stage for a walkout as soon as September 17.
The Air Line Pilots Association, which represents over 5,400 pilots at Air Canada, announced on Thursday that 98 percent of its members voted in favor of the mandate. Negotiations between the pilots and the airline have been ongoing since June 2023, with discussions taking place in Toronto under the guidance of a federal conciliator.
This process is scheduled to conclude on Monday, after which a 21-day cooling-off period will begin. This means September 17 could be the earliest date for a possible strike. Charlene Hudy, who leads the union’s Air Canada division, stated that the vote sends "a clear message to management" that pilots are prepared to take action for a better contract.
"It's an outdated contract," she remarked in a phone interview, noting that some parts of the current agreement date back to the time just after the airline's 2003 bankruptcy.
Hudy highlighted that while some progress has been made, disagreements persist over wages and certain scheduling issues. She pointed out that pilots at major U.S. airlines, following recent contracts, now earn nearly twice as much as those at Air Canada, particularly mentioning United Airlines.
"We’re all flying the same passengers in the same airspace, on some of the same routes, yet those pilots are getting paid significantly more," Hudy said.
Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, Air Canada's chief human resources officer, acknowledged that both sides have agreed on many aspects of the collective agreement. She also mentioned the labor stability that characterized the previous decade-long contract but acknowledged the need for updates.
Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau expressed hope earlier this month that both sides can finalize a new deal soon, noting that they have already reached common ground on several issues.
