OTTAWA – The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has announced that Air Canada flight attendants have begun a strike after failing to reach a contract agreement with the airline. CUPE stated that protests will be held in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Richmond, British Columbia, Halifax, and Winnipeg.
According to the airline, all operations for Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge have been temporarily suspended. An Air Canada executive said the strike is expected to affect approximately 130,000 customers daily, including thousands of Canadian travelers who are currently abroad.
The company has advised passengers on cancelled flights not to come to the airport without a new booking. The airline also stated that it would contact affected customers via email or text and that refunds would be issued for cancelled flights.
The strike follows unsuccessful contract negotiations that began at the start of the year. The flight attendants’ previous contract expired on March 31. The points of contention include wage increases, unpaid work, per diem, pensions, job rules, and rest periods. CUPE says that the current monthly salary of $1,951.30 for an entry-level flight attendant is not enough to live on due to the rising cost of living.
