The union representing Air Canada’s flight attendants has turned down the airline’s suggestion to resolve negotiations through an arbitrator, as stated on the bargaining committee’s website update. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) announced on Tuesday that Air Canada proposed engaging in binding interest arbitration to settle the dispute, involving a neutral third party. Air Canada later announced that discussions had hit a deadlock, emphasizing significant differences between the two sides.
Under the proposed arbitration process, an arbitrator would review and decide on unresolved agenda items, binding both parties to the outcome and preventing any potential lockouts or strikes. Despite CUPE members favoring a strike mandate, the union rejected the arbitration proposal and expressed its commitment to continuing negotiations at the bargaining table.
In response to Air Canada’s proposal, CUPE’s Wesley Lesosky wrote to Air Canada’s Arielle Meloul-Wechsler declining the offer. Both parties are now reassessing proposals following their communication. Air Canada’s Vice President of Corporate Communications, Christophe Hennebelle, highlighted the substantial disparity between the union’s demands and the airline’s offer, citing a significant compensation increase offer that was declined.
While employers often prefer binding interest arbitration to avoid disruptions like strikes, labor lawyer Malini Vijaykumar noted the potential challenges with enforcing arbitration through legislation and the right to strike under Canada’s Charter of Rights. Air Canada has provided flexibility for passengers traveling between Aug. 15 and 18, allowing them to change flights purchased by Aug. 13 to alternative dates between Aug. 21 and Sept. 12.
CUPE’s Air Canada component, representing over 10,000 flight attendants, has been engaged in negotiations since March, focusing on contentious issues such as wages and unpaid pre-boarding and post-deplaning work. Despite ongoing talks, the possibility of a strike looms as the previous collective agreement expired in March, leading to a stalemate in May and subsequent conciliation efforts with the federal labor minister.
Various airlines’ approaches to compensating flight attendants for ground work differ, with Air Canada’s latest offer including a partial pay rate for ground duties, while the union advocates for full compensation. The article also mentions the recent demonstrations and actions taken by flight attendants to address their labor concerns.