A day to remember, for a few reasons.
From coast to coast, from Vancouver to Halifax, from Calgary to Toronto and Montreal, Mainline to Rouge, Junior to Senior, you showed up. You stood shoulder to shoulder. You made it clear to Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and to the country, that we are united, strong, and ready.
The photos pouring in from our August 11 Day of Action say it all: a wall of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants, unwavering in purpose and powerful in solidarity. To every member who stood in silent protest, to those on layover who found creative ways to participate, and to those who brought the message onboard, you made history.
A heartfelt thank you to our Local Executives and Strike & Mobilization Committees for their tireless work in making the Day of Action a success. Special thanks to Component Strike Aversion Chair Shanyn Elliott and Local Strike Committee Chairs Jessica Matte, Larry Roy, Oliver Cooper, Daylen Mitansky, Brittany Thomas, and Courtney Kenny for going above and beyond. We are also grateful to CUPE National and their staff representatives for standing with us every step of the way, including CUPE National President Mark Hancock, who joined us in Toronto to show his support in person. Our thanks as well to the broader labour movement and trade unions across the country for their overwhelming outpouring of solidarity.
This powerful display of unity was built on the unprecedented strike mandate you delivered with 94.6% of members voting and 99.7% voting yes. That is a clear and undeniable message: we are in this together, and we will not be divided. Armed with this mandate, we returned to the bargaining table, backed by our legal counsel and CUPE National, pressing the Company on the issues that matter most to you.
We are now in the most critical stage of bargaining — the moment where the most significant decisions are made and the core issues must be addressed without delay or distraction. The strength you’ve shown on the line and in the air gives us the leverage to hold firm. We will not waver until we secure an agreement that recognizes your value, your work, and your sacrifices.
Instead of continuing to negotiate, Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge have decided they no longer want to negotiate with your Union. They have given your union a “proposal” to walk away from the table by way of a formal letter which can be found HERE. The Company wants us to agree to arbitration rather than to continue to bargain a new contract with your union. The Company has communicated we are too far apart.
To be explicitly clear, your Union, based on your overwhelming support, has put forward a proposal seeking cost of living enhancements each year, a catch up to where we should be at for 2025 and to ensure we are paid the best in Canada, and not by an unreasonable amount.
The Union has been pursuing your clear priority for 100% pay for all hours worked, however Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge have so far proposed to only recognize a portion of your vital safety contributions and only at 50%.
Air Canada has seen how determined and united flight attendants are to end unpaid work and win a real cost-of-living increase to wages.
Everyone knows that the best deals are made at the bargaining table, not handed down by an outside third party.
Why do they want arbitration?
First, arbitrators rely on precedent and the status quo to make their determinations. But Air Canada flight attendants are trying to break the status quo by ending the historic abuse of unpaid work in this industry. Air Canada wants an arbitrator to do their dirty work for them to keep the status quo intact.
Second, an arbitrator’s determination would be final. Members would not get a chance to vote on this outcome. Air Canada wants to go to arbitration because they want to take away our members’ democratic voice and close this deal to their liking, and not with the mutual consent of the membership.
Your union has declined the Company’s proposal to preserve an exploitative system and strip away your voice. Please see our responding letter HERE. We remain at the bargaining table, ready to negotiate the fair deal you deserve.
We have stood together, we have made our message clear now it’s time for Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge to respect workers and deliver the contract we’ve earned.
In solidarity,
Your Bargaining Committee