Flight attendants working on Air Canada Express flights are currently in the process of voting on whether to authorize strike action, with their union reporting a stalemate in bargaining talks. The Canadian Flight Attendant Union, representing approximately 1,000 flight attendants, is seeking a strike mandate due to the inability to reach a resolution with Jazz Aviation on key issues after nine months of negotiations and the involvement of a mediator.
According to a union statement, securing a strong strike mandate from its members is deemed essential to convey to Jazz Aviation the significance of the unresolved matters and the determination of its members. In response, a spokesperson for Jazz Aviation affirmed the company’s commitment to achieving a mutually satisfactory agreement at the negotiation table without disrupting its operations. The company is now pursuing the appointment of a conciliation officer as discussions with the Canadian Flight Attendant Union have hit an impasse.
Jazz Aviation, which acts as the primary operator for Air Canada Express flights, is under the ownership of a holding company named Chorus, not Air Canada directly. The union has underscored pay as a central concern in the ongoing negotiations. Chris Schliep, the union’s vice-president, mentioned that while progress has been made on some fronts in recent months, significant issues such as wages, ground work compensation, and improvements recognizing the job’s impact on members’ lives remain unresolved.
Schliep emphasized that Jazz flight attendants have lagged behind counterparts at other Canadian airlines in terms of pay, especially in light of recent industry agreements. The union is advocating for fair recognition of its members as safety professionals for their duties, including checks, briefings, and passenger boarding. The union highlighted the importance of safety following a tragic accident in March involving Air Canada Express Flight AC8646 at LaGuardia Airport, where both pilots lost their lives.
Marsha Walters, president of the Canadian Flight Attendant Union, stressed the significance of fair working conditions, sufficient rest, and respect for the flight attendants responsible for passenger safety and care daily. The voting on the strike mandate is set to conclude on Friday at noon. The potential strike mandate vote follows recent strike actions by WestJet flight attendants and over 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants in the past year. The timeline for a possible strike by Air Canada Express flight attendants remains uncertain pending the outcome of the vote.
