Negotiations are underway between Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, as both sides work toward a new collective agreement before the March 31 deadline.
While there has been no talk of a strike yet, union president Wesley Lesosky said that wages and unpaid work remain the biggest sticking points. Flight attendants have been working under the same contract for a decade, with only 2% annual wage increases, and CUPE is demanding significant improvements.
Speaking on the union’s latest Flight Plan podcast, Lesosky emphasized that flight attendants are frustrated with working unpaid hours. Since they are only paid while a flight is in motion, tasks such as boarding, deplaning, and performing safety checks are done without compensation.
“We’re at a breaking point,” Lesosky previously stated. “Flight attendants are no longer interested in working for free.”
While travelers at Toronto Pearson Airport and other major hubs could face major disruptions if a strike occurs, Lesosky said discussions remain positive, with both sides actively negotiating.
“At this point, the discussion is fluid, the discussion is good,” he said. “We’re not moving super fast, but we’re certainly not slowing down.”
If an agreement isn’t reached, the next steps could involve conciliation or mediation, but the union remains hopeful for a deal that members can ratify. Talks, which began in December, continue with proposals being exchanged, and additional bargaining sessions are scheduled through early May if necessary.
In addition to wages and unpaid work, scheduling and working conditions are also key points in the negotiations. For now, the focus remains on securing a fair deal—without disrupting flights just yet.