Air Canada Flight Attendants’ Contract Struggle Continues

The union representing 10,000 flight attendants who work for Air Canada and Air Canada has filed for conciliation, seeking help from the federal government in its contract negotiation with the airline.

Filing for conciliation means the CUPE recognizes an impasse in negotiation. According to a statement from CUPE, once a federal conciliation officer is appointed, they will have up to sixty days to work with the parties. At the end of the conciliation period, the parties enter a mandatory 21-day cooling off period. If no agreement is reached by the end of the 21-day cooling off period, the union may give 72-hours notice of job action after a strike vote has been taken. 

Related: Union Urges Federal Parties to Pledge ‘Unpaid Work Won’t Fly!’

The contract that had been in effect since 2015 expired on March 31, 2025. The main issue at stake is compensation. 

“Everything has changed since 2015, but the company refuses to acknowledge reality,” says Wesley Lesosky, a flight attendant with 24 years experience and President of the Air Canada Component of CUPE.. “Our workloads have soared, the cost of living has skyrocketed beyond belief, and our working conditions are getting worse by the day. The status quo won’t cut it.”

A full-time flight attendant with Air Canada makes $1,951.30 per month to start.

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