Air Canada flight attendants will strike Saturday after contract talks broke down, threatening cargo shipments across the airline's network, reports New York's FreightWaves.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing 10,000 flight attendants, issued a 72-hour strike notice after rejecting air Canada's latest offer and proposal for binding arbitration.
Air Canada has begun cancelling flights in a phased wind-down, affecting bellyhold cargo on passenger aircraft. The airline will continue operating its six Boeing 767-300 freighters, but on a reduced schedule.
The freighter network relies on passenger flights to feed shipments to international hubs. Without connecting freight, cargo jets will be less efficient, and many shipments may be stranded in warehouses.
Air Canada offered a 38 per cent compensation increase over four years, including 25 per cent in the first year, plus improvements to pensions, rest time, and ground pay. CUPE says the offer falls short, citing inflation and unpaid work.
CUPE claims entry-level wages have barely risen since 2000, while inflation has surged 69 per cent. The union says flight attendants perform safety-related duties for free and that Air Canada's offer to pay 50 per cent of hourly rates for some tasks is inadequate.
Air Canada says CUPE's counteroffer demands unsustainable increases and has asked the Canadian government to impose arbitration.
The strike adds to a year of labor unrest in Canada's transport sector, including walkouts at DHL Express and Canada Post.
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The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing 10,000 flight attendants, issued a 72-hour strike notice after rejecting air Canada's latest offer and proposal for binding arbitration.
Air Canada has begun cancelling flights in a phased wind-down, affecting bellyhold cargo on passenger aircraft. The airline will continue operating its six Boeing 767-300 freighters, but on a reduced schedule.
The freighter network relies on passenger flights to feed shipments to international hubs. Without connecting freight, cargo jets will be less efficient, and many shipments may be stranded in warehouses.
Air Canada offered a 38 per cent compensation increase over four years, including 25 per cent in the first year, plus improvements to pensions, rest time, and ground pay. CUPE says the offer falls short, citing inflation and unpaid work.
CUPE claims entry-level wages have barely risen since 2000, while inflation has surged 69 per cent. The union says flight attendants perform safety-related duties for free and that Air Canada's offer to pay 50 per cent of hourly rates for some tasks is inadequate.
Air Canada says CUPE's counteroffer demands unsustainable increases and has asked the Canadian government to impose arbitration.
The strike adds to a year of labor unrest in Canada's transport sector, including walkouts at DHL Express and Canada Post.
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