Air Canada Strike Grounds Flights Amid Wage Dispute
A strike by Air Canada's flight attendants over wage disputes has led to the cancellation of 700 daily flights, affecting over 100,000 travelers. Unionized attendants demand better compensation for time spent on the ground. The Canadian government is urged to intervene as negotiations remain stalled.
On Saturday, hundreds of Air Canada employees formed picket lines outside major airports across Canada following a strike action by unionized flight attendants over a wage dispute. The walkout, which commenced just before 1 a.m. EDT, led to Canada's largest airline canceling all 700 daily flights, affecting over 100,000 travelers.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing more than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants, declared that the proposed 38% four-year wage increase was inadequate, highlighting the absence of compensation for time spent working on the ground. No fresh negotiations are scheduled as union officials and business leaders urge governmental intervention.
Montreal-based Air Canada stated that flights operated by Air Canada Rouge would also be canceled, impacting approximately 130,000 customers daily. With the airline's significant role in U.S.-Canada flights, business leaders stress the need for government action to resolve the impasse through binding arbitration.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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