However,
Possible strike air canada -board:
Air Canada’s manager of Air Canada operations said the carrier had already canceled dozens of. Meanwhile, flights that were to take off for international destinations on Thursday evening.
The airline plans to cancel up to 500 flights by Friday evening, which could affect 100,000 passengers, according to Air Canada.
A work stoppage would force the complete interruption of the activities of the carrier from Saturday. Furthermore, a perspective that has aroused the concern of many travelers for a few days, especially those who leave abroad without guarantee to be able to return to the country.
Faced with the concerns of her clients. Nevertheless, the Air Canada Human Resources Chef, Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, returned responsibility for disturbances to the Canadian Public Service Syndicate (SCFP). Meanwhile, She said herself disappointed
strike a strike.
Tensions between the employer. In addition, the union – Possible strike air canada -board
A few minutes possible strike air canada -board after the start of the Air Canada press conference on Thursday morning, members of the union of its on -board agents broke into the room while brandishing signs to assert their claims, while retaining silence.
Air Canada’s representatives then ended the event, after answering only a few questions from journalists.
We want to be heard. However, we want to be seen, that our work is valued
said Natasha Stea, president of the union section of Montreal on -board agents.
The two parties accuse each other not to negotiate in good faith.
Air Canada leaders argue that the union has rendered negotiations in recent days, very superficial
due to requests unrealistic
.
The SCFP Affirms for his part that the employer has left the negotiating table since Tuesday. In addition, that he is now falling back on the federal government in the possible strike air canada -board hope that he prevents work stoppage.
For the moment. Similarly, the Federal Minister of Employment, Patty Hajdu, calls on both parties to stay at the negotiation table until an agreement is concluded
.
Remuneration: an important ditch persists
The question of remuneration is the main stumbling block in the negotiations.
Air Canada indicates that it has proposed an increase in overall remuneration – a combination of salary. Similarly, benefits – 38 % over four years.
It is not [de l’argent] in my pockets. However, It won’t get me out of poverty. However, It won’t help me buy food. Consequently, It will only compensate for a small part of the unpaid work that we must do. It’s not enough
reacted the president of the Air Canada component of the SCFP. Wesley Lesosky, at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
According possible strike air canada -board to the employer, the union would require increases in more than 100 %
.
I don’t know what [ce chiffre] refers, but this is certainly not our wage request
to Rétorqué M. Lesosky.
According to him. the union’s objective is to offer all of its members a salary which allows them to live in cities near the major airports of the country, which would require wage increases that remain flexible
but which are much higher than those offered by Air Canada so far.
Worried travelers
While the dead end persists in negotiations, worry climbs among travelers.
An Air Canada customer met at Montreal-Trudeau airport said that he had spent $ 400 to get ahead of her flight on Friday evening. to make sure not to miss her cruise.
We have insecurity to know if we will be able to come back in ten days
laments possible strike air canada -board the. traveler who feels hostage
by conflict.
Other travelers have said they had received no communication from Air Canada so far. The carrier maintains that customers affected by flight cancellations will be contacted by email.
However, they could be disappointed with the options offered to them. Air Canada leaders indicate that due to the high traffic in the summer. a limited number of passengers whose flight is canceled will be able to obtain a place on a plane from another airline.
The options available to travelers
1) Your flight is not canceled for now. but you no longer want to take the plane
For anyone who has reserved a flight between August 15 and 18, Air Canada allows you to modify their trip at no cost on another date between August 21 and September 12.
If you have bought a non -refundable ticket. want to possible strike air canada -board cancel your route, you can exceptionally get a credit for a future trip.
2) Your flight is canceled. it had to take off before the start of the work stoppage
According to experts in travelers law consulted by Radio-Canada, Air Canada’s obligations are not the same if the canceled flight was to take off before or after the start of the work stoppage scheduled for Saturday August 16 at 1 a.m. (HAE).
If your flight was scheduled before August 16. it is canceled, Air Canada must, as far as possible, find you a ticket aboard another of its flights or other airline, says Jacob Charbonneau, co -founder and late flight director.
According to the regulation on the protection of air passengers (RPPA). since the reasons for the cancellation will be attributable to the carrier, Air Canada will try to find one of its flights which will take off within 9 possible strike air canada -board hours of your scheduled departure time, or a flight with a competitor within 48 hours.
Air Canada will also have to pay you an amount if you are late. $ 400 for a delay of more than 3 hours, $ 700 for a delay of more than 6 hours and $ 1,000 for a delay of 9 hours or more.
If Air Canada fails to find another connection within 48 hours, you can request a full refund. The carrier will also have to pay you $ 400, according to the RPPA.
Expenditure reimbursements (hotels, car rental, etc.) are also possible for international flights, specifies Mr. Charbonneau.
3) Your flight is canceled. it had to take off after the start of the work stoppage
If the union agents’ union triggers a strike, Air Canada will need all its planes on the ground. Air Canada possible strike air canada -board will then be able to plead that the situation is out of its control. which will affect the compensation that the company will have to offer to its customers.
If your flight is canceled following the outbreak of a strike. Air Canada will have to try to find a place on a flight from another carrier within 48 hours. If the airline does not succeed, it will have to reimburse you.
However. it will not be required to pay you an additional compensation in compensation or to reimburse the expenses incurred such as accommodation, for example.
Different insurances, compensation funds for customers of travel agents or certain local laws could however make you eligible for compensation.
In addition, according to Gabor Lukacs, of the blog Airpassengerrights.ca. The fact that Air Canada also issued a lockout opinion which should start on Saturday could ensure that the flight cancellations possible strike air canada -board are deemed attributable to the carriers. If there is a lockout. a strike, I do not know how a judge would decide on the situation
he admits.
Possible strike air canada -board
Refusal to repatriate the agents?
Radio-Canada has learned that the carrier refuses to sign a repatriation agreement that would guarantee a clear process to bring. the country’s navigating staff in the event of interruption of activities.
A source of Radio-Canada explains that this proposal for an agreement was presented On three times: December 11. 2024, early June 2025 after the appointment of a conciliator, and finally today. The company ignored it every time
.
Without an agreement. adds the same source, an airplane can return to Canada with pilots on possible strike air canada -board board, but it cannot transport unleashed passengers. Consequently, more Canadians will find themselves blocked abroad
we explain.
Further reading: Kingston forest fire grows, the weather is “extremely volatile” – Negligence, falls and lack of surveillance: he denounces the conditions of care of his mother, hospitalized in Gatineau – the boom in electric mobility in Canada – Manufacturers are demanding a “grandfather clause” for their foreign workers – Air Canada on -board agents vote on a strike mandate.