Air Canada: hostesses and stewards strike, all canceled flights

The Canadian government has called on an independent referee to resolve the conflict between hostesses and stewards and management of Air Canada.

The strike, which started on Saturday, blocked nearly 130,000 travelers worldwide in high season.

“The negotiations have been interrupted. It is clear that the parties are not about to solve some of the key problems that remain and that they will need the help of the arbitrator”said Federal Minister of Employment, Patty Hajdu.

The Minister said that the complete resumption of services could take several days and that this decision depended on the Canadian Council for Industrial Relations (CCI).

The two parts very distant on the issue of wages

Air Canada and the Canadian Public Service union have been in talks for about eight months, but they have not yet concluded in principle.

The two parties claim that they remain very distant on the issue of wages and unpaid ground work.

“We have a broken heart for our passengers. No one wants to see Canadians blocked or worried about their travel projects, but we cannot work for free”said Natasha Stea, Air Canada Air Hostess and president of the union’s local section.

Air hostesses and stewards are made up of around 70 % women. According to Natasha Stea, Air Canada pilots, who are mainly men, received a significant increase last year.

The last airline offer provided for a 38 % increase in total remuneration, including the benefits and pensions over four years, which, according to the company, “would have made our best paid on -board agents in Canada”.

But the union replied by saying that the 8 % increase offered for the first year was not sufficient due to inflation.