Air Canada has declared an impasse with the union representing more than 10,000 flight attendants as a strike looms.
In a news release Tuesday, the airline says negotiations with CUPE reached an impasse with the parties in a position to issue a 72-hour strike or lockout notice at 12:01 a.m., Wednesday, August 13.
A strike could be as early as August 16, which would shut down the airline.
Air Canada says this comes after the union presented a counteroffer with increases beyond was in earlier submissions.
In addition to that the airline says, CUPE rejected an offer to enter binding third-party arbitration.
“Air Canada has been negotiating with CUPE for eight months and although we have settled many items, none of which required concessions, we remain far apart on key issues. We are disappointed our proposal to resolve the outstanding items fairly through arbitration has been rejected by the union and it is instead insisting on unsustainable wage increases,” said Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and Public Affairs at Air Canada.
“Air Canada is now looking at all remaining options, including a request for government-directed arbitration, to prevent a disruption or at least remove this intolerable uncertainty for our customers.”
Air Canada Express Flights operated by Jazz or PAL airlines would continue to operate.
Meanwhile, CUPE says strike headquarters are open at every base.
“This is where we regroup, re-energize, and receive direction on a picket line. Effective immediately, local operations will be functioning out of these HQs,” says the union on their webpage.
Flight attendants had a National Day of Action at Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver airports, Monday, to bring attention to key issues including unpaid work, work rules and wages.
Last week members voted 99.7 per cent in favour of walking off the job.
Comments