Montreal: The voting period for Air Canada flight attendants, who are preparing for a potential strike, is drawing to a close today. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing over ten thousand flight attendants, announced that the voting, which began on July 28, will conclude today.
However, an Air Canada spokesperson stated that holding the vote does not necessarily mean a strike will commence immediately. Air Canada clarified that any strike would not take place until after a 60-day conciliation period and a subsequent 21-day cooling-off period have elapsed.
Employees are preparing for a strike due to the failure of contract negotiations, which began at the start of the year. If the majority of union members vote in favor of a strike, it could begin as early as August 16, according to a CUPE Air Canada component spokesperson. A potential strike could severely impact major Canadian airports, including Toronto Pearson.
The previous contract for flight attendants expired on March 31. The key points of contention include wage increases, unpaid work, per diem allowances, pensions, work rules, and rest periods. The union argues that an entry-level flight attendant currently earns only $1,951.30 per month, which is insufficient to cover the rising cost of living.
