Air Canada: Voting on board agents next week

The agreement in principle is not even officially ratified that she is already a school and could establish a precedent in the industry.

More than 10,000 Air Canada on -board agents will begin to vote next week on a new agreement in principle which provides for an increase in wages as well as a remuneration structure for the working time on the ground.

Recall that the airline and its union reached this agreement on Tuesday morning with the help of a federal mediator, ending a strike that had disrupted the travel plans of thousands of customers.

Depending on the methods shared by the Air Canada component of the Canadian Public Service Syndicate (SCFP) on its website, the agreement provides for a wage increase of 12 air canada: voting board agents % this year for most junior ons, while more experienced members will benefit from an increase of 8 %.

All members will then receive an increase of 3 % in 2026, 2.5 % in 2027 and 2.75 % in 2028.

The proposed agreement must be ratified by on -board agents, with a vote scheduled from August 27 to September 6.

Points already set – Air canada: voting board agents

However, even if the members must decide on the entire agreement, a large part of the provisions – such as those on retirement plans, early retirement measures, benefits, rest in the elongated position and holidays – are already considered final, having been accepted by Air Canada and the union.

If the agreement is not ratified by the members, the SCFP specifies that all the provisions other than those relating air canada: voting board agents to wages will still be part of the new collective agreement of Air Canada ons. Therefore, The portion relating to wages will then be subject to arbitration, where an independent arbiter will make a final decision.

The agreement in principle, which would be in force until March 2029, also regulates the controversial question of unpaid labor when the planes are on the ground.

The question of ground work – Air canada: voting board agents

As of this year, on-board agents will receive half of their hourly rate for 60 minutes of ground work on single-off aircraft and 70 minutes on coarse-beating planes. In addition, This percentage will increase to 60 % next April, 65 % in 2027 and 70 % in 2028.

The modalities linked to the working time on the ground are also considered to air canada: voting board agents be final, regardless of the result of the ratification vote.

According to Steven Tufts, professor of labor relations at York University, the end of unpaid ground work for Air Canada on -board agents could establish a precedent for industry.

A precedent in industry

“The majority of carriers, historically, did not include time on the ground,” he says. Everything was integrated into the flight hourly rate. Now that the national carrier has adopted it, I think that the smallest companies will be more enclosed to follow. »»

Professor Tofts stresses that the Air Canada terms are similar-but not identical-to those of Delta Air Lines in the United States. Since 2022. Delta, whose on -board agents are not unionized, pays working time on the ground up to half the hourly rate, capped at around 50 to 60 minutes.

air canada: voting board agents

“I think the games were inspired by this agreement. They did not resume the formulation, but the model, ”he says.

Last year, American Airlines on -board agents also obtained remuneration for boarding time thanks to their collective agreement. Those of Air Transat tried to obtain a similar agreement during their negotiations at the beginning of 2023. without success, adds Tofts.

Next step: Westjet?

This question should also be at the heart of the next negotiations of Westjet on -board agents, whose current contract expires at the end of 2025. “It is a global campaign,” said Tofts. It does not only concern Air Canada on -board agents. It is a long -awaited measure. »»

On Monday, the Minister of Labor, Patty Hajdu on Monday, announced that Ottawa launched an investigation into “allegations” of unpaid work air canada: voting board agents in the airline. She described these practices as “deeply disturbing”. said that if the investigation confirmed the allegations, it was ready to present a law to fill these shortcomings.

Reminder of the facts

Air Canada on -the -strike agents went on strike last Saturday. Less than 12 hours later. Minister Hajdu intervened by invoking article 107 of the Canadian Labor Code to force the company and the union to use enforceable arbitration. The Canadian Industrial Relations Council ordered on -board agents to resume work on Sunday.

This order was challenged by union officials, which led the council to declare on Monday that the strike was illegal, even if the union claimed to want to continue the movement.

The company and the union resumed negotiations on Monday evening and finally reached an agreement in principle overnight.

Two days after the resumption of operations following the end of the strike, Air Canada said Thursday that most of its interior and international flights were in service again.

Recovery in progress

According to an online dashboard following the resumption of the company’s activities, 98 % of interior flights were scheduled for Thursday afternoon over a period of 24 hours, as well as 99 % of flights to the United States.

The restoration of international flights has also almost caught up, with 94 % of the flights planned to be operated. It will take up to 10 days for all Air Canada and Red Air Canada services to return to normal.

The airline has finally set up a policy aimed at reimbursing certain customers who had reserved alternative transport during the cancellations of flights air canada: voting board agents between August 15 and 23, as well as other “reasonable” expenses such as accommodation and meals.