Air Canada and the union representing its pilots, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), are meeting this week to try to avoid a strike after the union said talks had “completely stalled” last week. The union’s negotiations with the airline had hit a roadblock, and they are working this week to resolve the issues.
The NDP recently withdrew support for the Liberals, which has raised concerns about the potential outcomes of a strike. If a strike occurs, there may be calls for back-to-work legislation, and opposition parties could consider non-confidence motions.
First Officer Charlene Hudy, chair of the Air Canada ALPA master executive council, stated that talks had stalled last week due to the confidential nature of negotiations. The union hopes to see progress in their discussions with the company this week.
Hudy mentioned that wages for pilots would increase based on seniority, with junior pilots likely to see the highest raises. Many pilots struggle financially, with a quarter of them needing a second job to make ends meet. The pilots are looking to improve their compensation terms after their wages have not kept up with inflation or matched their counterparts’ pay.
Air Canada has not responded to inquiries from Global News. However, the airline has posted on its website that negotiations with ALPA are ongoing, and flights are operating as scheduled. Passengers who purchased tickets for travel between September 15 and 23 may be able to make changes or alternate travel arrangements.
The possibility of a strike looms, with 5,400 pilots potentially going on strike as early as September 17 if a deal is not reached. The Air Line Pilots Association has not set a strike date but has shown overwhelming support for a strike if necessary. Passengers affected by potential flight disruptions have options to rebook or cancel their travel plans based on the airline’s policy.
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