On-board agents could exercise the strike or be on lockout at the earliest on Saturday at 12:01 a.m. (HAE). As it would require 72 hours notice on each side, this means that Air Canada or the union could announce a work stoppage at any time after 00 h 01 (HAE) on Wednesday.
The Air Canada section of the Canadian Public Service Syndicate (SCFP) shared a letter on Tuesday in which the company proposed to use arbitration to obtain a new collective agreement, which would suspend the right to strike or lockout in the meantime.
Dated on Monday, the letter indicates that arbitration “would allow on -board agents, SCFP, Air Canada and Red Air Canada to go ahead without more delay or uncertainty, two elements that weigh on all of us”.
The SCFP, however, describes this letter of “proposal from the company aimed at preserving an operating system and depriving (members) of (their) voice”.
The Union Exhort Air Canada to continue the negotiations and told its members that “at the negotiating table, ready to negotiate the fair agreement you deserve,”.
After rejection of the use of enforceable arbitration, Air Canada announced in a statement that the negotiations were in a “dead end”.
“Air Canada is now examining all the remaining options, including an arbitration request imposed by the government, in order to prevent an interruption of activities or at least eliminate this intolerable uncertainty for our customers,” said Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, General Vice-President and Air Canada’s Human Resources Chief.
Air Canada remains willing to negotiate with the union, but the time is pressing, added Ms. Meloul-Wechsler.
Other “already very busy” carriers
In a statement released on Tuesday afternoon, Air Canada said that it would inform customers whose flights would be potentially canceled and that they would be eligible for full refund, available on its website or mobile application.
The airline said it has made arrangements with other Canadian and foreign carriers, as well as Via Rail, in order to offer its customers other travel options “as far as possible”.
“Customers will be notified of the other travel options offered to them,” she said. However, given that the other carriers are already very busy due to the summer peak period, obtaining such a capacity will take time and, in many cases, will not be immediately possible. ”
Air Canada said that it “strongly advises against” customers to go to the airport in the event of a disruption, unless customers have a confirmed reservation and that their flights are indicated as being in service.
“Air Canada wants a referee to make the dirty job”
The union said that the arbitrators “are based on the previous ones and the status quo to make their decisions”, which goes against its objectives during the negotiations.
“Everyone knows that the best agreements conclude at the negotiating table, not by being imposed by a third party,” the union told members.
He recalled that, contrary to an agreement in principle concluded by negotiation, the members would not have the possibility of voting on the decision of the arbitrator, which would be final.
“Air Canada’s on-board agent want to break with the status quo and put an end to the so widespread abuse of unpaid work in the air transport sector,” he said. Air Canada wants a referee to make the dirty job for her and maintain the status quo. ”
The union said that his main points of friction concerned what he calls the “misery wages” of on -board agents and unpaid work when the planes are not in flight.
The union announced on Tuesday to its members having presented a proposal aimed at obtaining increases aligned with the cost of living, with a catch -up “until we arrived at the situation planned for 2025”. He also demands a 100 % remuneration for all hours worked, adding that Air Canada has so far proposed to “recognize only part of your essential contributions to security, and only 50 % of the hourly rate”.
The union sent on Tuesday an official letter of response rejecting Air Canada’s proposal. He urged Air Canada to continue the negotiations.
“Our members clearly granted us a strong strike mandate, testifying to their determination to obtain a collective agreement which addresses key issues, in particular wages, unpaid work, daily allowances, pension plans, working rules and resting provisions, many of which are still unanswered,” said Wesley Lesosky, president of the Air Canada section of the SCFP, in his letter.
“We remain determined to use all the tools available as part of the negotiation process to achieve a negotiated agreement that meets the needs of our members.”
Air Canada announced on Monday that its last offer included a total salary increase of 38 % over four years. She also specified that this proposal tackled the questions of wages on the ground, the improvement of pension plans and social benefits, the increase in rest periods of the crew and other improvements to personal life-life conciliation.
The airline has argued that this offer would make its best paid on -board agents in Canada. However, it argued that the union had submitted a counter-offer “asking for exorbitant salary increases, higher than those proposed previously”.
“Air Canada has been negotiating with the SCFP for eight months and, although we have settled in many points, none of which have required concessions, we remain very far from key issues,” said Meloul-Wechsler.
“We are disappointed that our proposal to settle fairly the outstanding points by arbitration has been rejected by the union, which insists rather on exorbitant salary increases. The talks are now in an impasse, the union being able to issue a strike notice at midnight this evening, which creates enormous uncertainty for hundreds of thousands of travelers and for companies that send essential and priority goods. ”
