Air Canada Flight Attendants File for Federal Conciliation Amid Contract Impasse

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing 10,000 Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants, has filed for conciliation with the federal minister of labour after contract negotiations reached an impasse. The current contract expired on March 31, 2025, and the union's main demand centers on fair compensation, highlighting that entry-level full-time flight attendants earn approximately $1,951.30 per month, which they deem insufficient given soaring workloads and the rising cost of living. Additionally, the union seeks to end unpaid work, estimated at around 35 hours per month for tasks like boarding, deplaning, and safety checks, which is enabled by loopholes in the Canada Labour Code. CUPE has also proposed improvements to scheduling, fatigue and safety provisions, retirement security, and overall working conditions. The federal conciliation officer, once appointed, will have 60 days to mediate, followed by a 21-day cooling-off period, after which the union may initiate job action if no agreement is reached. Air Canada has expressed its intention to collaborate with the federal mediation service to reach a deal that acknowledges flight attendants' contributions.