Air Canada pilots have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike mandate, which could see them walking off the job as early as next month and cause massive delays for travellers.
According to the Air Line Pilots Association, which represents the over 5,400 aviators employed by Air Canada, said the vote passed with an approval rate of 98% on Thursday.
“Air Canada pilots are working under pay rates and quality-of-life provisions negotiated in 2014. Negotiations for a new agreement began in June 2023,” reads an ALPA statement released on Thursday.
“Talks entered private mediation in January 2024 and lasted until June 2024, at which point the union decided to file a notice of dispute and enter conciliation because the two sides were unable to reach a new collective agreement.”
Employees began negotiating with the country’s largest air carrier last June. Talks were being overseen by a federal conciliator.
The process will wrap up on Monday, followed by a three-week cooling off period. However, if an agreement is not reached, the strike is slated for Sept. 17.
The chair of Air Canada’s union contingent Charlene Hudy said that Thursday’s vote sends “a clear message to management” that if a better contract isn’t secured, pilots are ready to take job action.
“Today, more than 5,400 Air Canada pilots sent a clear message to management that we are willing to go the distance to secure a contract that reflects the value we bring to Air Canada,” said Hudy.
“Our goal is to avoid a strike, and our focus remains on modernizing our contract for Air Canada pilots. However, management continues to force us closer to a strike position by not listening to our needs at the negotiating table regarding fair compensation, respectable retirement benefits, and quality-of-life improvements. After more than a year of negotiations, management must now come to the realization that if they fail to reach an agreement, they will be responsible for us withdrawing our services.”
Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau said that both parties are already in agreement on several key issues earlier this month and that he hopes the two can strike a deal soon.