This text is a translation of an article by CTV News
The Canadian Public Service Syndicate (SCFP), which represents more than 10,000 on -board agents, said by press release that its members had voted at 99.7 % in favor of the strike, adding that it could give a strike notice of 72 hours on August 16.
“The company prefers to drag its feet rather than negotiating the points that matter to our members,” said Wesley Lesosky, president of the Air Canada section of the SCFP, in a press release published on Tuesday. “On -board officers have now had the opportunity to decide and tell the company that it is time to negotiate seriously.”
The union calls for an increase in wages and compensation for all hours worked by on -board agents.
“The vote reflects the deep frustration of on -board agents after months of unsuccessful negotiations, due to the airline refusal to negotiate fairly on key issues such as unpaid work, working rules and wages of misery,” the statement said.
“Always have a rescue plan”
The vote has aroused concern about possible delays or cancellations, and travel experts advise Canadians to be “proactive” and have a rescue plan.
“My best advice to travelers … Be as proactive as possible,” warned Jennifer Weatherhead, travel expert based in Toronto and founder of travelandstyle.cain a video interview with ctvnews.ca during his trip to Panglao Island, in the Philippines. “Flexibility is the best motto when it comes to traveling in general.”
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Ms. Weatherhead advises passengers to start planning their trip, for example by booking a flight, a rental car and a hotel that can be canceled at the last minute. “I always plan a rescue plan when I hear about this kind of thing,” she said.
“Try to reserve something you can cancel. Like that, if the strike does not take place, you can simply cancel this flight and keep your flight initial. ”
– Jennifer Weatherhead, travel expert based in Toronto and founder of travelandstyle.ca
Ms. Weatherhead adds that it is also worth paying a supplement for a reimbursable ticket.
“I know that this represents a little more money at the start, but if you book one of the cheapest tickets, there is a good chance that you cannot modify your reservation at no cost,” she said.
The cheapest plane tickets are sometimes not refundable, do not allow passengers to choose their headquarters in advance and may require payment of a supplement for hand luggage, according to the expert.
Ms. Weatherhead advises travelers to consider modifying their travel dates as soon as they are aware of a potential disruption and to check their travel insurance to see if a disruption such as a strike is covered.
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Airlines sometimes inform their customers of a disruption and allow them to modify their flight at no additional cost, according to Ms. Weatherhead.
“I would jump on the occasion as soon as possible, because it will give you the best options and save you from finding yourself in a difficult situation at the last minute,” she added.
What if your flight is canceled?
Gabor Lukacs, President of the Air Passenger Defense Group Air Passenger Rightssaid that the options that cause additional expenses, such as the purchase of reimbursable tickets on another airline as a rescue solution, may suit those who have the means and whose trip is “urgent”. But Lukacs added that the threat of a strike should not affect passengers.
“I highly recommend that passengers do not believe that the strike will take place, not to modify their plans, to wait until the airline cancels their flight and then take care of the situation,” he said in a video interview granted Thursday at ctvnews.ca from Halifax.
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According to Mr. Lukacs, the regulation on the protection of air passengers (RPPA) applies as soon as the airline cancels the flight. “If you cancel the flight, you are at the mercy of the airline,” he said.
It may be preferable to stick to your travel plans, even if the airline proposes to modify your flight for free, added Mr. Lukacs, because the airline will not reimburse you the costs you will incur if you modify your flight or your trip on a preventive basis.
For the cancellations which are the responsibility of the airline, Mr. Lukacs said that it is required to take care of meals, accommodation and a lump sum compensation up to $ 1,000 per passenger depending on the duration of the delay.
Once the strike is officially declared, the airline owes no lump sum company for passengers under the RPPA, although the passengers traveling internationally can request the reimbursement of their costs under the Montreal Convention, he said.
Similar rules apply if a flight is delayed at least three hours, said Gabor Lukacs.
Passengers have rights in certain cases, which are considered independent of the will of the carrier under the regulations for the protection of air passengers in Canada, such as work conflicts or strikes.
If a strike of the personnel of an airline, for example, leads to delays of at least three hours and cancellations, the airline must offer other transport solutions or a reimbursement. In cases where thefts are canceled due to a strike, the airline must reach for free the passengers concerned on another flight, including in a higher class if no seat is available in a lower class, according to Mr. Lukacs.
The airline must also buy from the passenger concerned a ticket on a competing airline if it cannot rehears it on one of its flights or on a flight from a partner company leaving within 48 hours of the initial departure time, added the group president Air Passenger Rights.