The union of on -board agents rejects arbitration; Air Canada talks about an impasse

The union representing around 10,000 Air Canada on -board agents rejected the airline’s proposal to start an enforceable arbitration process. Air Canada now believes that talks are in a “dead end”.

The Air Canada section of the Canadian Public Service Syndicate (SCFP) shared online a letter in which the company proposed to use arbitration to obtain a new collective agreement, which would suspend the right to strike from the union in the interval.

Dated Monday, the letter indicates that arbitration would allow on -board agents, to SCFPAir Canada and Air Canada Red to move forward without more delay or uncertainty, two elements that weigh on us all.

The SCFP however qualifies this letter as proposal of the company aimed at preserving an operating system and depriving [les membres] of [leur] voice.

The union urges Air Canada to continue the negotiations and told its members that there were At the negotiation table, ready to negotiate the fair agreement you deserve.

The SCFP Could file a strike notice by Wednesday at 0:01 am if he intends to trigger the strike on Saturday.

“Exorbitant” wage increases

After rejection of the use of enforceable arbitration, Air Canada announced in a statement that the negotiations were in a impassearguing that a union counter-offer requested wage increases exorbitant.

Air Canada now examines 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 customerssaid Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, general vice-president and head of human resources and public affairs of Air Canada.

Air Canada remains willing to negotiate with the union, but the time is pressing, added Ms. Meloul-Wechsler.