Air Canada is reportedly ready to lock out its flight attendants who plan to strike beginning this weekend. Travel disruptions could start as early as Thursday and could last until a resolution is found.
The airline indicated operations would be suspended as of Saturday and could continue to remain offline until a resolution is achieved.
According to the airline, the union, represented by Canadian Union of Public Employees, issued a strike notice which prompted Air Canada to issue a 72-hour lockout notice effective Aug. 16. The union reported that nearly all members, 99.7% of the membership, voted to strike.
“For nine months now, we have provided reasonable, evidence based proposals relating to wages and unpaid work, all anchored on principles of fairness and best practices in the industry,” noted Wesley Lesosky, president of the Air Canada Component of CUPE. “AIr Canada’s response to our proposals demonstrates that they do not care about resolving these important matters.”
The airline stated that after eight months of negotiations and a willingness to move to arbitration, the two parties did not have a tentative agreement. Later, on August 11, the airline claimed that they sent a proposal to the union which contained a 38% pay increase over a 4 year period, along with other pay and non-pay provisions and protections. This was not accepted, resulting in the strike notice from the union.
“Over the last nine months, we’ve shared strong, numbers-based plans on pay and on things we do without pay, all grounded in fairness and what the industry says is standard,” Wesley Lesosky, president of the Air Canada Component of CUPE, shared. “The way Air Canada is replying shows one plain fact: they don’t want to fix these major matters.”
In turn, the airline intends to lock out its flight attendants this weekend. “We will begin implementing our contingency plan to gradually begin an orderly wind down of operations,” an Air Canada Statement said.
Air Canada also stated that they expect the first flight cancellations to occur on August 14, anticipating additional cancellations on August 15, culminating in a complete operational cessation scheduled for August 16.
After eight months of talks- including the airline’s suggestion that the two sides look to arbitration—a deal still couldn’t be reached. On August 11, Air Canada put forward a package that included a proposed 38% pay rise spread over four years plus some added benefits, according to the company. The union, however, proceeded to announce a strike warning.
The airline now plans to lock out its flight attendants this weekend. “We will begin implementing our contingency plan to gradually begin an orderly wind down of operations,” Air Canada announced.
Sad to say, Air Canada expects the first canceled flights to show up on August 14, ramping up on the 15, with a total stop planned for August 16.
The airline operates almost 430 flights each day between Canada and the U.S. at 50-plus U.S. cities and carries around 130,000 passengers daily, it said.
The union’s website recently confirmed that bargaining teams are targeting full pay for all hours worked plus cost-of-living adjustments. Boarding pay is also on the table; across the U.S. airline industry, many carriers still don’t compensate flight attendants for the on-ground, pre-flight duties for which they spend hours in uniform.
Patty Hajdu, Canada’s Minister of Jobs and Families, announced that she has met with both the flight attendants union and airline management. She specified that federal mediators will stay on standby until the two sides reach an agreement.
“I am closely monitoring the situation and encourage both parties to stay at the table until a deal is found,” the minister’s statement concluded.
Reference Website:
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/13/business/air-canada-strike-lockout-flight-attendants
