Air Canada Flight Attendants Launch Strike Vote Amid Calls for Better Pay and Unpaid Work Reform

Vancouver / Toronto, July 26, 2025 – Flight attendants at Air Canada and its affiliate Air Canada Rouge, representing over 10,000 employees, have commenced an electronic strike vote that runs from July 28 through August 5, 2025 Travel And Tour WorldTravel And Tour World. This follows the breakdown of federal conciliation talks after the expiration of their contract on March 31, 2025 Reddit+15BNN Bloomberg+15Canadian Union of Public Employees+15.

Key Issues Behind the Dispute

 Wage Stagnation and Low Pay

Entry‑level attendants earn roughly CAD 1,951.30 per month, which the union says is unsustainable in major Canadian cities Reddit+15Canadian Union of Public Employees+15Travel And Tour World+15.

Unpaid Workload

Union members report they perform an average of 35 hours per month of uncompensated essential duties—including boarding, pre‑flight safety checks, and deplaning—which they argue violates Transport Canada guidelines Wikipedia+15Over Here Toronto+15Delta Optimist+15.

 Broader Labor Demands

Negotiations also include proposals on raising per diems, improving pensions, retirement security, scheduling/fatigue rules, and safer staffing practices Canadian Union of Public Employees+2globalagents.ca+2travelindustrytoday.com+2.

Strike Vote Timeline and Legal Process

• A federal conciliation period lasted 60 days, followed by a 21‑day cooling‑off period.
• With no agreement reached, union members are now voting electronically on strike authorization Reddit+12BNN Bloomberg+12Vancouver Is Awesome+12.
• If the vote passes, the union may issue a 72‑hour strike notice, potentially triggering legal strike action as early as early August 2025 Over Here Toronto+2Vancouver Is Awesome+2Travel And Tour World+2.

Potential Impact on Travelers

A strike during the peak summer travel season could lead to flights cancelled or delayed, particularly at major hubs like Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), and Calgary (YYC) Reddit+15Travel And Tour World+15Reddit+15. Passengers may face rebooking delays and disruptions throughout the network.

Reactions from Both Sides

CUPE Flight Attendant Union President Wesley Lesosky accused Air Canada of dragging its feet and not taking proposals seriously, stating:

“Everything has changed since 2015… the cost of living has skyrocketed beyond belief... the status quo won’t cut it.” Travel And Tour World+1Reddit+1Delta Optimist+15Canadian Union of Public Employees+15globalagents.ca+15

Air Canada has not made a detailed public offer but reaffirmed its commitment to the conciliation process and said it hopes for a mutually agreeable outcome without disruption BNN Bloombergglobalagents.ca.

Why This Matter Matters

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What Happens Next?

• Flight attendants vote July 28–August 5
• If majority supports, a 72‑hour strike notice may be issued
• Early August marks the earliest possible strike date, unless a last‑minute deal is reached

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