Air Canada Express flight attendants vote on strike mandate as contract talks stall

Around 1,000 flight attendants at Air Canada Express are voting this week on whether to authorize a strike after nine months of negotiations with Jazz Aviation have reached an impasse.

The Canadian Flight Attendant Union (CFAU) says it has been unable to reach agreement with Jazz Aviation—the primary operator of Air Canada Express flights—on "the most critical issues." A mediator was enlisted in negotiations, and Jazz Aviation is now seeking appointment of a conciliation officer. Voting closes Friday at noon.

The union has not outlined specific outstanding issues in its public statements, but it suggests safety and pay are among the key concerns. "The CFAU believes a strong strike mandate from its membership is necessary to ensure Jazz Aviation understands the seriousness of the outstanding issues and the resolve of its members," the union said in a release.

Chris Schliep, the union's vice-president, said parties made progress on some items over recent months. The main outstanding issues for the union are wages, compensation for work performed on ground, and improvements recognizing the impact of the job on members' lives. "Jazz flight attendants have not kept pace with comparable flight attendants at other Canadian airlines, particularly in light of the recent agreements reached across the industry," Schliep said.

Marsha Walters, president of the CFAU, framed the stakes in terms of both safety and compensation. "Safety does not begin at takeoff, nor does it end at landing. It begins with fair working conditions, proper rest, and respect for the flight attendants who are responsible for the safety and care of passengers every day," she said. "If the time belongs to the employer, it should be compensated. And if flight attendants are safety professionals, they must be treated and compensated accordingly."

The union's push for a strike mandate comes weeks after WestJet flight attendants went on strike and more than a year after Air Canada flight attendants struck. If the membership votes to authorize a strike, the timing of when Air Canada Express flight attendants could walk off the job is not yet clear. Jazz Aviation is not owned by Air Canada but by holding company Chorus.