The work stoppage at Air Canada, which will starve on Saturday, will have a major impact on the travel plans of many Quebecers, when some may not be able to find an alternative immediately.
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The air carrier, who responded to the union’s strike notice with a lockout opinion on Wednesday morning, indicates that he will start to cancel flights on Thursday for a “complete cessation of Air Canada and Red Air Canada flights on August 16”.
A full refund will be offered to customers who will be assigned by these cancellations and agreements have been concluded with other carriers in order to offer them travel spare options.
“Customers will be notified of the other travel options that will be offered to them,” says Air Canada, on its website.
However, the high traffic at the country’s airports means that many travelers may not be able to benefit from an immediate spare options.
“Since the other carriers are already very busy due to the summer peak period, obtaining such a capacity will take time and, in many cases, will not be immediately possible,” said the airline.
A flexible reservation modification policy will also be implemented for all customers, it is assured.
Travels can therefore be canceled, modified or delayed at no additional cost.
Those who bought their ticket at a “non -refundable” rate will be able to recover the value of their travel credit ticket.
Customers having reserved a flight between August 15 and 18 can modify their reservation at no cost for another date between August 21 and September 12.
Travelers will therefore have to be attentive to the status of their flight and be proactive by taking advantage of the flexibility of their reservation in order to ensure their air transport to their destination.
The duration of the work stoppage remains unknown.
On -board agents are claiming in particular the end of unpaid work as well as “a real salary increase taking into account the cost of living”.
Air Canada indicates that it has offered a 38% increase in overall remuneration over four years.
The union held silent demonstrations on Monday at several airports in the country, before submitting its strike notice on Tuesday to Wednesday.
The employers’ part immediately replied with a lockout opinion.
An arbitration proposal was also refused by the union on Tuesday.
