Liputan6.com, Jakarta Air Canada flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), are facing a serious issue in contract negotiations with management.
This situation has sparked the potential for a major Air Canada strike that could begin on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
More than 10,000 Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants are poised to strike, threatening significant disruption to flight schedules.
The impasse stems from the expiration of the flight attendants' collective contract on March 31, 2025, after 10 years.
CUPE rejected Air Canada's offer, which it considered below inflation and market value.
In response to CUPE's 72-hour strike notice on August 13, 2025, Air Canada also issued a lockout notice.
The airline has begun gradually canceling flights since August 14, 2025, with the potential for a complete cessation of operations on August 16, 2025.
Approximately 130,000 customers per day are expected to be affected by the disruption.
The Root of the Problem in Air Canada Strike Negotiations
Air Canada's flight attendant collective contract expired on March 31, 2025, sparking a serious dispute over pay and compensation.
As reported by BBC, CUPE stated that flight attendants were receiving "poverty wages" and demanded pay increases in line with industry standards and rising inflation.
Air Canada claimed to have offered a 38% total compensation increase over four years, including addressing ground pay.
However, CUPE argued that Air Canada's offer fell far short of inflation and market value.
They highlighted that flight attendants had already experienced a 9% reduction in their real wages due to inflation since 2015.
One of the main issues highlighted was the unpaid work performed by flight attendants while the aircraft was stationary.
This included time spent during boarding, deplaning, and handling emergencies on the ground.
Air Canada stated that time spent on ground duties was covered by the current collective agreement, which includes a "Duty Period" that begins one hour before departure.
However, CUPE is demanding full compensation for all hours worked.
Air Canada has proposed binding third-party arbitration to resolve this dispute, but CUPE has rejected the process.
Impact of the Air Canada Strike
On August 13, 2025, the CUPE Air Canada Component officially issued a 72-hour strike notice.
In a swift response, Air Canada also issued a 72-hour lockout notice on the same date.
If an agreement is not reached, the strike could officially begin on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 1 a.m. ET, with a significant impact on flight operations.
Air Canada has begun gradually canceling flights since Thursday, August 14, 2025, with further cancellations scheduled for August 15.
The airline plans to completely cease Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operations on August 16, 2025.
This step was taken to provide certainty to customers amidst the uncertainty of negotiations.
It is estimated that approximately 130,000 customers per day could be affected by this disruption.
Full Refund and Alternative Travel Option for Customers
Air Canada has stated that it will notify customers whose flights are canceled and that they will be entitled to a full refund.
The airline has also made arrangements with other Canadian and foreign airlines to provide alternative travel options, seeking to minimize the impact on passengers.
On August 11, 2025, Air Canada flight attendants held a national "day of action" outside four major Canadian airports.
The action aimed to call for an end to unpaid work and the "poverty wages" they were experiencing.
- These negotiations involve approximately 10,000 Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants.
- Flight attendants working for Jazz and PAL, which operate Air Canada Express flights, are not affected by these negotiations.
- Air Canada will do its best to rebook customers on the first available flight, exploring options with more than 120 international and domestic airlines.