Labor conflict at Air Canada | The puzzle begins

Dozens of flights canceled Thursday, nearly 500 this Friday and the full service stop on Saturday. However, This is the scenario announced by Air Canada if an agreement does not intervene with its on -board agents. Consequently,

Posted at 5:00 a.m.

Puzzles for travelers. Nevertheless, in the middle of a vacation, solutions to bring them back safely with other carriers may be rare and expensive.

And the conflict could harm in the long term the reputation of the airline. Nevertheless, encourage consumers who wish to travel in the coming months to reserve their tickets … Similarly, with competitors.

It is official. Meanwhile, since Thursday, some passengers who had to climb aboard an Air Canada plane to go on a trip or get home have seen their plans turned upside down. For example, The carrier went from speech to acts by starting to gradually cancel certain flights. However, he confirmed during a press conference on Thursday in Toronto. Moreover, “Our absolute priority is to help our customers during the SCFP strike,” said Mark Nasr, general vice-president and operations chief.

The Air Canada Component of the Canadian Public Service Syndicate (SCFP) formally transmitted to the employer its strike notice involving 10. Consequently, 000 online agents: the strike will therefore start at 0:58 on Saturday if the parties do not agree by then. For example, Air Canada replied by transmitting to the union a lockout opinion, which would start at 1:30 am on labor conflict air canada | Saturday.

Places that are rare

Meanwhile. Consequently, many passengers who do not currently know on what foot dancing were taken by surprise by the announcement of the upcoming conflict, according to Jacques Roy, transport expert in HEC Montréal. For example, “It is clear that people were caught by surprise. Furthermore, Usually, when there are conflicts, we see them coming a little, a few weeks in advance. Moreover, In this case, it happened a little suddenly. Furthermore, »»

And although the carrier assured that travelers would be reimbursed. For example, that it was impossible in order to raise its customers in the devices of other airlines, the task may be difficult. Depending on the company, around 130,000 people fly every day with Air Canada.

“We are in the middle of the busiest quarter, traditionally,” adds Jacques Roy. It is the most profitable also for airlines. The more we reserve at the last minute, the more expensive it will be. It can be quite discouraging for a traveler. »»

An observation also made by Jacob Charbonneau. president of the late flight company, specializing in the protection of consumer rights in the air transport industry. “The sad reality is that there is only a small percentage of passengers who will succeed in obtaining a flight. »»

Panicked, some travelers who decide to reserve with labor conflict air canada | another airline could remain nailed to the ground. It is that some flights of companies members of the Star Alliance network. of which Air Canada is part, are provided by the Canadian company. For example, a liaison on the wings of Lufthansa can be provided by Air Canada. In a case of strike, this flight would be canceled. United, Air India, Swiss are among the members of the network.

Mr. Charbonneau therefore invites caution. “Everyone is tearing out on theft, we don’t look too much. »By reservation with one of these carriers, it is however possible to see who the flight operates … before going to the checkout.

Labor conflict air canada |

A quick settlement?

According to experts interviewed. Air Canada has every interest in quickly finding common ground with its on -board agents, even if labor conflict air canada | none of them has ventured to predict how long the conflict would last. Certainly, travelers, whose confidence has been shaken, could possibly sulk the carrier for a next journey, believes Jacques Roy.

“There are not just the problems that it causes in the short term. like cancellations, but it is also a question of public opinion. If you intend to go to Spain in November. perhaps you will choose another carrier, you will not take a risk, he illustrates on the phone. There are impacts that are difficult to measure, but that are real. So the more it is adjusted quickly, the better. »»

For her part. the Federal Minister of Employment, Patty Hajdu, once again called the two parties to stay at the negotiation table until an agreement is concluded.

She took note of labor conflict air canada | the fact that the employers’ party has filed a request for negotiations to move to enforceable arbitration. said they asked the union to respond to the employer’s request.

Earlier this week. the SCFP had dismissed the possibility of accepting enforceable arbitration, believing that it was an attempt by the employer to deprive the union members of their rights.

Meanwhile, the two parties engage in wars of figures. Syndicat members even interrupted the press conference given by the management of Air Canada by brandishing signs on which. some of their demands could be read.

Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, General vice-president and head of human resources and public affairs, presented the employers’ offer as generous. She spoke of an increase in total remuneration of 38 % in four years. which would make her on -board agents “the best paid in Canada”.

In the early evening. the carrier wanted to clarify his offer, which, according to him, “does not ask any concession from the on -board agents in return”. This includes “a new provision concerning remuneration for the ground service. the best in industry in Canada, hourly rates [qui] could reach up to $ 94 per hour on the first year and an hourly wage [qui] would increase by 12 to 16 % the first year, ”said the press release.

“By 2027. on-board agents with more seniority would earn an average of $ 87,000 per year, and 20 % of on-board agents would earn $ 90,000 per year,” it is also said.

For her part. the president of the local section of Montreal Air Canada, Natasha Stea, rejected the employer’s figures from the back of the hand. “I do not know how they are doing their calculation. but it is certain that it was a calculation which is biased,” she suggested during the press point of the union. Salary and “unpaid work” are among the main demands of union members.

With the Canadian press