In an interview with the Canadian press, Ms. Hajdu said it was “essential” that the two parties return to the negotiation table to conclude an agreement between them.
The minister said that the union had indicated that many of his claims had been satisfied, which suggests that there is a way to an agreement.
“The union himself said that many of his claims had been satisfied. However, for the moment, he is not at the table, she explained. It is very important that the union and the company return to the negotiating table, roll up the sleeves and conclude this agreement. ”
The comments of Ms. Hajdu intervened a few hours before the deadline for 1 a.m. on Saturday, while some 10,000 on -board agents were able to disengage without agreement.
The country’s largest airline in the country and the SCFP have turned each other for the impasse of negotiations, the union having rejected an application for enforceable arbitration and the company having imposed a lockout.
The Air Canada section of the SCFP said it wanted to avoid a work stoppage by negotiating, while the airline asked Ms. Hajdu to intervene and order the parties to use enforceable arbitration.
Warnings of business groups
Business groups have warned against the damage that a prolonged conflict would cause the economy and have asked the government to consider all possible options to end the conflict, including the taxation of enforceable arbitration.
The minister admitted that the economy was “under tension” and explained that the time had come for “the Canadians to tighten their elbows – and I expect companies and unions to do the same”.
She also declared that he did not belong to him to “solve the problems of the collective agreement”, but the minister did not exclude anything either.
“It is very important that we stayed focused on both parties. It is to them that the primary responsibility is to solve this problem. It is a company and a union that have all the necessary tools, as well as the tools of the Federal Mediation Service, to conclude this agreement, explained Ms. Hajdu. Canadians observe the situation with a lot of empathy […] And a great anxiety, and I think that the country is counting on these parties to do their job and be diligent to solve each problem. ”
In a declaration published on social networks, the minister said she met the two parties on Friday evening and asked them to redouble their efforts to achieve an agreement.
“It is unacceptable that so little progress has been made,” said Hajdu.
Air Canada warned that it canceled around 500 flights in anticipation of the imminent work stoppage, a complete stop being scheduled for Saturday.
The airline said that customers whose flights are canceled will be offered a full refund.
Air Canada also said that it allowed its customers to change their travel plans at no cost if they wanted.
– With information from Sammy Hudes in Toronto
