By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Air Canada’s flight attendants have officially gone on strike, starting Saturday, halting all airline operations and causing major disruptions for around 130,000 passengers.
The strike was called by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents 10,000 flight attendants. The union announced the stoppage after reaching a standstill in contract talks with the airline.
A 72-hour strike notice had been issued by the union on Wednesday, and by Friday evening, Air Canada had already canceled over 600 flights, impacting more than 100,000 passengers. The airline then scrapped its entire schedule for Saturday, which typically includes 700 flights.
Air Canada confirmed the suspension of all operations and advised travelers to avoid heading to the airport. The airline expressed regret about the strike’s impact while stressing the scale of the disruption.
The core issues fueling the strike include demands for higher wages and better compensation for tasks performed outside of flight hours, such as assisting during boarding. The union claims flight attendants aren’t paid for all the time they spend on the job, especially when they are working on the ground before takeoff.
Labor expert Rafael Gomez from the University of Toronto pointed out that many passengers are unaware that flight attendants help with boarding without being paid for that time.
While CUPE pushes for better pay, Air Canada proposed a salary increase that would see senior attendants earning an average of CAN$87,000 ($65,000) by 2027. The union, however, rejected the offer, saying it doesn’t keep up with inflation and market standards.
As Canada’s economy faces mounting pressure from factors like trade policies, the strike is adding more strain. The Business Council of Canada warned that the ongoing travel disruption could hurt the economy, particularly in areas like supply chains and cargo services.
Despite the turmoil, Gomez doesn’t expect the strike to last long, especially given that it’s happening during peak travel season. “Airlines don’t want to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue,” he said, indicating that the dispute might be resolved quickly.
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