Air Canada will restart operations after reaching a tentative agreement with its flight attendants, ending a three-day strike that disrupted passenger and cargo services, reported New York's FreightWaves.
The deal, brokered by a federal mediator, allows 10,000 flight attendants from air Canada and Air Canada Rouge to return to work. The Canadian Union of Public Employees must still ratify the agreement.
Initial flights were scheduled to resume Tuesday evening, though full service may take up to 10 days due to aircraft and crew displacement. Maintenance checks are also required for planes grounded during the stoppage.
The strike had forced cancellations and delays, prompting concern from cargo customers and business groups. Air Canada continued operating its six Boeing 767-300 freighters on a modified schedule throughout the disruption.
During the recovery phase, Air Canada Cargo will maintain a temporary freighter schedule, including service to Europe. Passenger flight resumption will gradually restore normal cargo operations.
'Restarting a major carrier like Air Canada is a complex undertaking,' said Michael Rousseau, president and chief executive. 'We ask for our customers' patience and understanding.'
The new four-year contract includes a 40 per cent increase in total compensation, with ground pay added for pre-departure duties. Narrow-body flights will include 60 minutes of ground pay, rising to 70 minutes for widebody aircraft.
The agreement follows a rejected 38 per cent offer and a back-to-work order issued by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board, which was defied by striking workers. CUPE called the intervention illegal and hailed the new deal as a victory for workers' rights.
Full terms of the collective bargaining agreement have not yet been disclosed.
SeaNews Turkey
The deal, brokered by a federal mediator, allows 10,000 flight attendants from air Canada and Air Canada Rouge to return to work. The Canadian Union of Public Employees must still ratify the agreement.
Initial flights were scheduled to resume Tuesday evening, though full service may take up to 10 days due to aircraft and crew displacement. Maintenance checks are also required for planes grounded during the stoppage.
The strike had forced cancellations and delays, prompting concern from cargo customers and business groups. Air Canada continued operating its six Boeing 767-300 freighters on a modified schedule throughout the disruption.
During the recovery phase, Air Canada Cargo will maintain a temporary freighter schedule, including service to Europe. Passenger flight resumption will gradually restore normal cargo operations.
'Restarting a major carrier like Air Canada is a complex undertaking,' said Michael Rousseau, president and chief executive. 'We ask for our customers' patience and understanding.'
The new four-year contract includes a 40 per cent increase in total compensation, with ground pay added for pre-departure duties. Narrow-body flights will include 60 minutes of ground pay, rising to 70 minutes for widebody aircraft.
The agreement follows a rejected 38 per cent offer and a back-to-work order issued by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board, which was defied by striking workers. CUPE called the intervention illegal and hailed the new deal as a victory for workers' rights.
Full terms of the collective bargaining agreement have not yet been disclosed.
SeaNews Turkey
