Strike and lockout notices given involving Air Canada and it’s flight attendants
Air Canada says it has issued the statutory 72-hour lockout notice to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) representing 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge.
This after the airliner says the union provided notice it intends to begin a strike at 12:58 am (EDT) on Saturday.
CUPE’s notice comes after Air Canada declared talks with the union “at an impasse,” with what the airline describes as a “huge gap” between the two sides.
It has suggested binding arbitration, a move the union has rejected.
The big issues are wages and being paid for the time they actually work.
Currently, flight attendants are only paid from when the aircraft doors close until they open at their destination.
Air Canada says it will begin a phased wind down of most of its operations to be completed over the next three days.
The company is also seeking government-directed arbitration to resolve the situation.
Upwards of 130,000 customers a day could be impacted, including 25,000 Canadians that could be stranded abroad.
Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz and PAL Airlines will continue to operate as normal.
**With files from Norman Jack
Richard Coffin has been a reporter and news anchor on the radio in North Bay for over 25 years. From premiers to people in the neighbourhood, he enjoys connecting with newsmakers and writing stories that matter to area listeners on a variety of topics including healthcare, education, politics, sports and more.
