Air Canada announced Wednesday that it will begin cancelling flights starting Thursday in anticipation of a possible strike by its flight attendants. The airline said the move is intended to allow for an orderly shutdown of operations.
According to a report from MSN, the first round of cancellations will begin Thursday, followed by additional cancellations on Friday. By the weekend, all flights operated by Air Canada and its subsidiary Air Canada Rouge are expected to cease.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents approximately 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants, issued a 72-hour strike notice on Wednesday. The strike is scheduled to begin Saturday, August 16, unless a deal is reached or the federal government intervenes.
In response to the union’s notice, Air Canada issued a lockout notice.
Air Canada stated that customers affected by cancellations will be notified and offered full refunds. The airline also said it has made arrangements with other Canadian and international carriers to provide alternative travel options where possible.
“We regret the impact a disruption will have on our customers, our stakeholders and the communities we serve,” said Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau.
Negotiations between the airline and the union have stalled. On Tuesday, Air Canada said it had reached an impasse in contract talks. The union has cited concerns over low wages and unpaid labor during non-flight periods, while Air Canada said it had proposed a 38% increase in total compensation over four years, along with additional benefits.
“Despite our best efforts, Air Canada refused to address our core issues,” the union said in a bargaining update posted online.
The union rejected Air Canada’s proposal to enter binding arbitration, stating it prefers to negotiate a deal that members can vote on.
