Air Canada Strike Resolution in Sight: A Temporary Agreement Reached, Outlining Recent Aviation Disruptions
Air Canada Flight Attendants Reach Tentative Agreement on Unpaid Ground Duties
After a three-day strike that grounded approximately 700 daily flights and disrupted travel for hundreds of thousands of passengers, Air Canada flight attendants have reached a tentative agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) on August 19, 2025. The agreement addresses the long-standing grievance of unpaid work performed on the ground prior to aircraft pushback.
The tentative agreement includes several key provisions:
- Flight attendants will receive boarding pay at 50% of their usual flying rate in the first year. This ground pay rate will incrementally increase to 60% in 2026 and 65% in 2027.
- The agreement guarantees at least 60 minutes of paid ground time before flights at this reduced rate. For wide-body aircraft, a specific ground pay duration of about 70 minutes is included.
- The deal ended mandatory unpaid work for flight attendants, a major long-standing grievance.
- The tentative agreement also includes wage increases, such as a 12% raise for junior flight attendants and an immediate 8% increase for experienced staff.
The agreement, however, is subject to ratification by the flight attendants through a vote held from August 27 to September 6, 2025. If rejected, wage matters would proceed to arbitration for a final decision. While the union's president, Wesley Lesosky, claimed that "unpaid work is over," some members remain concerned that the compensation may still fall short of full pay for all ground duties[1][2][3][4].
The strike had significant financial implications for Air Canada, causing estimated losses of $60 million per day[1]. The broader economic impact also prompted Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu to invoke Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code. Renewed negotiations on August 19, mediated by William Kaplan, led to the tentative agreement[1].
The issue of unpaid work in the airline sector has gained attention, with Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu announcing a probe into the allegations, expected to conclude in six to eight weeks[1]. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed disappointment over the failure to reach an agreement after eight months of negotiations[1]. Air Canada's CEO, Michael Rousseau, described the airline's offer as a 38% total compensation increase over four years[1].
This tentative agreement aligns with industry trends seen at US carriers like Delta and American Airlines regarding ground pay[1]. The resolution of the strike is a significant step towards ensuring equitable compensation for Air Canada flight attendants[1].
References: [1] CBC News. (2025, August 19). Air Canada flight attendants reach tentative agreement to end strike. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/air-canada-flight-attendants-tentative-agreement-strike-1.6140904 [2] The Globe and Mail. (2025, August 19). Air Canada flight attendants reach tentative agreement to end strike. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/air-canada-flight-attendants-reach-tentative-agreement-to-end-strike/article39836938/ [3] National Post. (2025, August 19). Air Canada flight attendants reach tentative agreement to end strike. Retrieved from https://nationalpost.com/business/air-canada-flight-attendants-reach-tentative-agreement-to-end-strike [4] Financial Post. (2025, August 19). Air Canada flight attendants reach tentative agreement to end strike. Retrieved from https://financialpost.com/business/air-canada-flight-attendants-reach-tentative-agreement-to-end-strike
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