Vacationers blocked in Singapore, families who were to leave this weekend, canceled business trips; The nightmare begins Thursday morning for the 130,000 Air Canada daily customers.
• Read also: Air Canada labor conflict: an arbitration proposal rejected by on -board agents
• Read also: Air Canada labor conflict: silent demonstrations in major airports in Canada scheduled for Monday
The union of 10,000 on -board agents filed a strike notice on Saturday at 0.58 am on Wednesday. The airline retaliated in the hour by decreeing a lockout for Saturday.
The cancellation of its long-haul flights begins this morning and its activities “will be gradually reduced” over the next three days, in order to avoid blocking its devices in Japan, Australia or Greece.
“The goal is not to strike. No on-board agent wants to stop working, but Canada must come back to the table, “Nathalie Garceau, spokesperson for the Canadian Public Service (SCFP) said on Wednesday.
The union made a new offer on Tuesday afternoon, but has not yet received a response from Air Canada. The most recent proposal for the employer’s salary increase was 17.2% over four years, said the SCFP.
Air Canada highlights that its overall remuneration includes pension and benefits and says it wants to make its “best -paid industry” on -board agents “
$ 50M per day
“Most flights will be canceled before Saturday,” warns John Gradek, aviation expert at McGill University and Air Canada Air Canada. At what cost? “$ 50 million per day” between immediate reimbursements and the infrastructure which continues to turn without income.
“A on-board agent starts at Air Canada with a time-full time of 75 hours a month earns $ 1952 per month before tax,” said the union spokesperson.
This is under the threshold of poverty and also much less than in Transat.
“The gap is 34% to 38% with competition,” said John Gradek, who calculates that the wage catch -up of the 10,000 on -board agents will cost $ 200M per year in Air Canada.
The union also requires 100% remuneration for the 35 hours worked each month by each on -board agent, but which is not paid.
In the United States, Delta and United Airlines began to pay their on-board agents about an hour before the flight. Neither deckchair nor Westjet still does it in Canada.
“This is a battle that we are ready to lead to change the standard in industry,” confirms Nathalie Garceau.
No arbitration, no ottawa
The company offers 8% salary increase for 2026, “which does not even cover inflation”, challenges the union. Over the past 10 years, the Convention has established increases of 2% per year, well below inflation.
In a letter of August 11, vice-president Arielle Meloul-Wechsler proposed an enforceable arbitration of the conflict, invoking successful previous in 2011.
“Arbitration prevents us from strike and imposes a decision for us. We want to negotiate, ”replies the spokesperson for the SCFP, who refuses this avenue.
“There was no negotiation for eight months, that’s the problem,” observes John Gradek, the ex-air framework of Air Canada, who doubts the good faith of the company.
“We ask ourselves the question if Air Canada really intends to negotiate or only to beg politicians to impose a solution,” he said.
The company has also asked the federal government to intervene by imposing enforceable arbitration, as for Canada Posts and in the rail sector. Ottawa has not yet answered.
Air Canada strike and lockout: your options against chaos
The air Canada operations stopped on Saturday will disrupt the travel projects of thousands of Quebecers. Here are the appeals and solutions to navigate this crisis.
Replacement solutions
Western Canada will have less disruption, because Westjet is concentrated there. It will be more complicated in Quebec. Air Canada Express continues its operations with 100 aircraft. Explore Porter Airlines, Transat or one of the American carriers. Contact your travel agent to access international emergency partnerships. Expect extended waiting times at Westjet or Porter.
Refund or credit?
If you have booked with a Quebec travel agent, you are protected by the FICAV (compensation fund). Air Canada also offers full refund or travel credit for any canceled flights. Favor refund if you have to book immediately. The credit is suitable for a postponement on a date between August 21 and September 12.
Watch out for exclusions
Travel insurers consider that you are not entitled to compensation because “the risk of a strike was real when you have taken out your travel insurance”. Check your credit card insurance policy, collective or private insurer. The strike was predictable since the 99.7 % vote at the end of July.
The law of 48 hours abroad
Air Canada has 48 hours to find you a return flight. After this period, the company must reimburse you in full and you manage. Keep all your receipts (hotel, meal), because it will be negotiable afterwards, even if these expenses are not necessarily covered. As a last resort, the Canada Embassy can help you.
