The Canadian government was considering its options today (October 10), but made it clear that a strike at Air Canada would not be tolerated after flight attendants at the country's biggest carrier issued a 72-hour strike notice. A strike starting on Thursday (October 13) by 6,800 flight attendants at Canada's biggest airline was described as "unacceptable" by Canada's conservative government, commenting that the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), for the second time, rejected a tentative labor contract with Air Canada.
COMMENT: A work stoppage by flight attendants would virtually ground the airline and potentially ground as many as 65,000 passengers on its first day.
Air Canada has introduced a flexible booking policy to allow customers to change flight dates free of charge until December 15. If there is a strike, it would operate a partial schedule. Some 65% of flight attendants who voted on the tentative labor contract rejected it. A key sticking point in the negotiations have been work rules, notably cabin crews' demands for more payable hours during stopovers.
Passengers booked on Air Canada may wish to consider deferring departure for optional trips or contact the carrier NOW in an effort to determine what options are available to travelers if the strike cannot be legally arrested by midnight Thursday.
Passengers booked on Air Canada may wish to consider deferring departure for optional trips or contact the carrier NOW in an effort to determine what options are available to travelers if the strike cannot be legally arrested by midnight Thursday.
