Thousands of Air Canada employees are preparing to walk off the job, raising concerns about widespread flight cancellations during the busy summer travel season.
The potential strike action comes as negotiations between the airline and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing approximately 10,000 customer service and airport staff, have reached an impasse.
What Travellers Need to Know
With the union issuing a 72-hour strike notice on Wednesday, the earliest possible walkout could begin as soon as Saturday. This timing couldn't be worse for holidaymakers, coinciding with peak summer travel demand.
Air Canada has stated it's preparing contingency plans to minimise disruption, but passengers should brace for potential:
- Last-minute flight cancellations
- Extended check-in and baggage drop times
- Possible delays at customer service desks
Behind the Dispute
The labour dispute centres on key issues including:
- Wage increases to match inflation
- Improved job security provisions
- Better working conditions for frontline staff
"Our members kept this airline running through the pandemic and deserve fair compensation," said CUPE spokesperson Wesley Lesosky.
Global Travel Impact
As Canada's largest airline, any prolonged industrial action could have ripple effects across international routes, particularly affecting:
- Transatlantic flights to Europe
- Popular sun destinations like the Caribbean
- Domestic connections across Canada
The airline has advised passengers to monitor their flight status regularly and consider travel insurance that covers strike action.
