Updated: Mon Oct. 10 2011 14:41:50
CTVNews.ca Staff
With an Air Canada strike looking increasingly likely, the airline has announced it is allowing passengers to rebook their travel plans to avoid the expected disruption.
But a work stoppage could be short lived, as Labour Minister Lisa Raitt said the government is ready to introduce back-to-work legislation drafted during the first round of labour negotiations earlier this year.
The airline’s 6,800 flight attendants will be in a legal strike position at 12:01 a.m. Thursday morning after members rejected a tentative contract agreement on Sunday.
It marks the second time negotiators for the Canadian Union of Public Employees have reached a tentative agreement with the employer, only to have the flight attendants reject the contract.
Of the flight attendants who voted, 65 per cent rejected the deal.
Air Canada has issued a statement saying it hopes to avoid a work stoppage, but will try to maintain a partial schedule if the strike goes ahead.
However, the airline said it is now allowing customers who are booked to travel in the next six days, to change their dates for free.
According to the statement, passengers who are booked on flights from Oct. 10 to Oct. 15 can change their travel dates until Dec. 15 free of charge. That offer will be renewed every six days on a rolling window basis.
The government has said it won’t tolerate a lengthy strike, meaning employees could soon be back at work in the event of a stoppage.
“I would highly recommend to both parties that they conclude some kind of deal that they believe can be ratified … It is their best interest to do so,” Raitt told CTV News Channel Monday.
Raitt made it clear during the negotiation process that she was ready and willing to introduce back-to-work legislation if the two sides were unable to make a deal by the deadline.
She even had the legislation prepared ahead of time, though it was never used because the negotiators managed to settle on an agreement just hours before the deadline was reached.
However, the House of Commons is not scheduled to be in session this week, and MPs would have to be called back for an emergency session in order for a back-to-work bill to be passed any earlier than next week.
It’s the second time the flight attendants have turned down a deal that their representatives negotiated on their behalf, thereby erasing weeks of work at the bargaining table.
The previous tentative agreement was rejected in August, after CUPE leaders said they were confident members would support the deal.
Duncan Dee, Air Canada’s executive vice-president and chief operating officer, said he still had hope that a deal could be reached.
“We are perplexed and disappointed that two tentative agreements negotiated in good faith with and unanimously recommended by the democratically elected representatives of our flight attendants have failed to be ratified,” Dee said in a statement. “Air Canada remains hopeful that a disruption can be avoided.”
Jeff Taylor, president of CUPE’s Air Canada Component, said the vote indicates union members are frustrated with the airline. The major areas of dispute between the two sides are wages, pensions, crew reset and working conditions.
Taylor cautioned the federal government against threatening or introducing another back-to-work bill in an effort to quash a strike.
“We ask the federal government, in the strongest possible terms, to respect our right to collective bargaining and not intervene unilaterally in this dispute,” Taylor said.
Strike could harm economy, says Raitt
Raitt has openly said she believes the threat of looming back-to-work legislation helped motivate union representatives to reach a deal with the airline.
“The government has already indicated what its plans were in the event of a work stoppage last time,” Raitt said. “That legislation is still alive and available to us.”
Responding to critics who say that the government should stay out of the labour talks and let the two sides come to an agreement, Raitt noted that a potential strike at the airline could be detrimental to the economy at a time of uncertainty.
“We have a situation here, where you can easily see that the parties are simply not coming to an agreement that can be ratified themselves.”
Raitt added that the contents of the legislation remain under wraps, so it’s not clear to either side if they could gain an advantage by waiting for Ottawa to force the issue.
Patrick
fire them all!!!
That One
I cannot take one side or an other based on this article. It only bashes the employees without explaining what they want or willing to accept, this article does not state what Air Canada is willing and not willing to offer and this article does not compare Air Canada employees with other air lines.
More often than never, employees try to get the best deal out of their employees. The same can be said for union workers vs their employer. Who is really unreasonable this time? Will have to look in an other article to find that answer.
Jimi
People who are not permitted to withdraw their services have a name—they are called SLAVES. This is an interesting government policy. Let’s all give our heads a shake.
rfh
To Mike in yyc. I am not sure where your head is, but Air Canada hasn’t received one penny of government money since 1988. In 1988 it was privatized. Get your facts straight
Rob
To James in YEG. Airfares are cheaper than they were 10 years ago! Where have you been living? Under a rock!
Kevin
My flight attendant friend at Air Canada told me that she had taken about 20% pay cut at 2002, after 9-11 Air Canada demanded its employees to save the company. 10 years later, Bin laden is dead, yet Air Canada won’t even give them back the 20% concession from 2002. Meanwhile, the top executives at Air Canada continues to collect huge bonuses. I don’t think the employees at Tim Horton would work for 20% pay cut after 10 years. I used to envy her job at Air Canada, but not anymore. Air Canada needs to take care its employees so they will take care of us, basic common sense.
suzyq
I’m not saying that these Fas deserve more money, but I think its hogwash that people are going on and on about AC not having the money. It’s a publicly traded company, you can see the bonuses and salaries that the execs are making. Why not ask the goverment to step in and take those away, no that won’t happen. Capitalism at it’s best!
Trevor H.
All I can say is that they should be thankful they all have jobs, but no they all have to be so greedy!!
Disgusted Mike
It’s high time to let this one crash and burn, pardon the pun.
Enough bailouts.
Enough intervention.
Enough meddling.
Air Canada is a company just like every other air carrier: if they can’t keep their people and their customers, that’s their fault.
Our government has more important things to worry about that an air carrier that can’t keep itself aloft; again, pardon the pun.
Jeff
So rather than deal with the working class in good faith, they’re giving us all the middle finger and telling us to shut up and put up with their shenanigans.
Well, screw you Stephen Harper and your Neo-cons.
unionjoe
I am an AC employee, not a FA. I do not travel for free and when I do decide to take advantage of my “passes” I am lucky to get on a flight. It took me 12hrs sitting around to get on a flight last month, not anywhere for free like some of you think. Also, I may not agree with the Flight attendents but I do believe they have the right to strike if they want. The goverment should not be able to take that power away from the working class.
Alan
I am a hard working businessman just about to take a break which looks like it’s going to be disrupted. It’s about time these people realized that there a millions out of work who would love to have their job.
Disgraceful.
josephine
so nurses can go on strike but flight attendents can’t??? something seems wrong here. The last AC strike didn’t hurt anyone but managment for that company. Is Ms Raitt getting something from AC for this?
Gary (Toronto)
I hope the flight attendents of Air Canada realize if they go on strike, they will lose everything they bargin for. Government will do the same thing what they did with the postal workers and offer then less than they wanted. If I were those flight attedents, I would take the offer while they can have it. Plain simple.
Morgan
I am so sick and tired of being inconvenienced because someone doesn’t like their working conditions..What has that issue got to do with me??? Do the right thing and if you cannot come to a resolution with your boss…quit. I and the general public have nothing to do with you and your boss or your disagreement.
AJ
Oh, how cute…business and government walking hand in hand. Who needs to abide with intent of laws and treat their employee’s fairly, when you have a government and it’s MP’s in your pocket?
anne
What would you list as job description for a flight attendent + the reasonable salary expectation for that position
Enough said
– some of the other positions like customer service are truly deserving of salaries
fuggy
Fire them all, spoiled brats! I wish I and many other people had what those employees do, bunch ingrates.
Dan
We Don’t Need Unions. Why should a flight attendent be paid more and receive better benefits than an educated person working an important job. Im sorry but if you want better pay, benefits etc. quit your job and go back to school. Unions have no place in modern society
Diane
One thing for certain is we wont have any agreement if the sides come to the table with the usual self- serving acrimony.
reidjr
Laurel
The thing is a deal has been rejected not once but twice by the workers so yes i think it is fair for the gov to step in at this point.
Frankie
Let them go on strike and let them fall flat on their face and no bail out when they do. Air Canada is the most inconsiderate air line I have ever seen. Their attendents aren’t even friendly hafe the time.
Have people heard of trains or buses. If you have to go to the US drive a crosses the border than get a plan. You may find it is a lot cheaper.
Mary
@ Mike L
Government employee are we?
tj ripper
I hope Harper forces those UNION SCUM back to work!
Laurel
Wake up people? Do you really think that corporations or executives give a rats— about the worker or job creation? They are interested in profits, at all costs. If it wasn’t for unions, helping to fight for social justice and living wages….for EVERYONE, you would be working more than one job, just to get by. The government has no business getting involved in labour disputes. It is just another right being taken away from people.
Chris
To Nathan: Air Canada is CHEAP?!?! I guess you don’t shop do you? My flight to Orlando with AC would have cost me 1400. I bought my ticket with another airline same departure time, same return time at half that cost… and NO SEAT SALE!!! Air Canada is FAR from cheap!!! They have to jack their prices because of the UNIONS!!!
Brett in Ottawa
Just booked my flight from SYRACUSE, NY to New York – JFK. $59, $8.50 taxes. Beat that Air Canada.
trunorth
Stick it to ‘em, Lisa!
James (Calgary)
You can bet that the government would not intervene if it was any other airline involved. It has nothing to due with the worlds money problems. It has everything to do with not paying a fair wage, unless of course you are a MP or a rich business man. Air Canada has the worst service at the best of times. I will never fly air Canada again.
James in Edmonton
Air Canada employees and pilots are responsible for jacking up the cost of fares, so why should we book the tickets for that flight, if you don’t want to pay them , book Westjet , then maybe, one day they will realize that Many Canadians are fed up with the unions for jacking up air fares. send Unions e-mail , telling them, how angry we all are because of fares are getting too high every year.
Steve in Vancouver
Andrew l traveled Ryanair last year and l was very satisfied with the service.
Doug from Whitehorse
Remember that the fares, food costs, working conditions, salaries, etc. that are the reasons why many will not travel on Air Canada are not set by the union but by management. Maybe the government should legislate them back to work, if they ever have.
Sick and Tired
Wake Up and look at Greece and the countries in Europe! The economy is not in a great shape. AC flight attendants could not keep wanting more but working less. Learn to work and make a living. No free ride. No Government bailout.
legislated return to work?
What’s the point of a strike if someone (government) can just tell them to go back to work?Seems to me that it is only a strike if they remain united in the face of government pressure, “legislated” or not.
Chris
this country could use more than 2 regular service airlines and a bunch of charters that go places half of us cant afford. we dont need 50+ airlines in this country but we should at least have MORE options. Air Canada has definitely GROWN in the past 15 years with service and expectations and WestJet has its ups and downs but there is NO way it should be $2000 first class from Toronto-Vancouver on an Air Canada jet when people one row behind you are getting a seat sale for $209. We should just go like WestJet and offer Economy seats for all. Save the rich crap for overseas/international.
Allow some more competition into this country and NO air canada. NOT your discount carrier. remember the other like FIVE that have failed. get your damn fingers out of the cookie jar.
cixcents
The only reason the government is keeping Air Canada at arms length is to not appear indifferent with Quebec. But the last time I checked, NONE of them supported the Conservative Government on the last election.Ditch them and all their luggage. Call a referendum to decide their fate. Air Canada is NOT my airline, shared by the many others.
reidjr
steven katona
First this has nothing to do with standing up aginst the harper gov since air canada is private.As for your other comment i don’t think with how bad the world is in people striking will go over well with most.
frequentflyeracflyer
The Union should of left this world when Hoffa did all it does for any organization is protect a lazy employee…. In Air Canad’s case it protects service workers that feel they can treat paying customers with Zero respect !!!
annoyed
I am supposed to fly on AC Thursday, they can’t guarantee my flight, and the flight they are generously offering to switch me to flies when I have to be at work – a concept the person on the other end of the phone didn’t seem to understand. No refunds until your flight is officially cancelled, which, according to the person I spoke to, anytime between midnight Thursday and 30 minutes prior to flight time. Making it impossible for me to book on WestJet. Thanks AC for potentially screwing me out of seeing my sisters this year.
Gerry from MB.but not NDP.
Would Canada be better off with out A.C. and the C.B.C ???
Nathan
Dear John,If it only pays 12 an hour, and it’s “no great job” then the employees should find work elsewhere, or enjoy the job for the experience like they signed up for in the first place. I love Air Canada as much as everyone hates them, so their service isn’t the greatest but I get what I pay for; they’re cheap, and get me from A to B, I’m not paying for a life changing experience, I’m paying for a transport from A to B.
gary
The gov’t should fire all the F/A and rehire new ones. Air Canada’s F/A are the weak link in the company. I stopped flying Air Canada years ago because of them. They have excellent pilots and ground crews, but the F/A are terrible. Most are rude, unfriendly and look like they just rolled out of bed. Recently on a trip to England I thought I would fly A/C to see if things had chaned. They hadn’t. The F/A looked like slobs, and were very unfriendly and unhelpful. One young F/A spent most of her time talking to a hot young guy, and when I ashed her for a glass of water, she reacted like I was really putting her out. As I said, fire them all and rehire new ones.
Stephen
If the flight attendants hate the agreements their bargaining committee has worked out and recommended to the members….then fire the bargaining committee and replace them with left wing socialists that truely represent the membership.
Mike Calgary
I haven’t used Air Canada in may may may years, as they are a very needy company, always being bailed out by tax payers. who cares ! Time you went under !
Victor
Why not allow us to cancel our reservations and get our money back?
Cambob in Toronto
The union members rejected the deal. They clearly want to drive the company out of business. The government should stand aside and allow Air Canada to fail.
Canadian
They want better wages, pensions, crew reset and working conditions just for serving precooked food and being rude to customers? Really?
Colkay
Flights are too expensive in Canada. In the US you can fly a family of four across the States for less than $1000. For us to fly our family of four across Canada is costs no less than $3300 and can be up to $5000 depending on the time of year.
As for the service on AC, it stinks! I was just on an AC flight and they were terribly rude and short tempered with everyone. One little old lady asked for water and they gave a huge sigh and rolled their eyes when she asked. I won’t fly with them again.
outrigger sam
AC on strike? No problem, I’m booked on Westjet. AC has the worst customer service and a pervasive “we really don’t care ” attitude that makes travelling with them a universally lousy experience. Management has to take the blame when most of the staff act like they hate their jobs and their customers.
Eileen
Why is it that West Jet can turn a profit every quarter yet Air Canada cannot? This as well as friendly flight attendants, happier employees, and profit sharing. I say it’s time the Canadian Taxpayers quit paying for a sub-standard product with their hard earned tax dollars and sell AC to West Jet!! Over and Out.
Dino H
John if they don’t do it for the money then they should stop their whinning and greed,and take what they give them. , and enjoy “the experience”Remember you choose that job. you know what you got yourself into, after all flight attendants are nothing more than over paid waitresses with CPR and emergency evacuation training. that’s it. they don’t even need high school
Will
6,800 jobs coming available. FIRE THEM ALL. Worst airline staff in the world.
Travis
Well, I know I will never take a flight on Air Canada. Something about being thousands of feet in the air with people who despise their employers feels unsafe to me.
Toronto Bill
Canada needs to do what China did when it found itself with one bloated crappy airline (CAAC). It broke it up into a bunch of smaller entities (NOT regional monopolies- they COMPETE with each other both domestically and internationally). Now prices are reasonable, flight attendants are friendly and actually appear to be enjoying their jobs. And there are multiple options for almost every route. If Taiwan (about the same population as Canada) can support many, MANY airlines, so can Canada, so don’t claim that it’s only because China is huge- their airline using population isn’t huge yet.
Jayme
John
Thats how it is in many many companys.
Ed
John,”Responsible for everything”?????? are they responsible for flying the plane, maintaining the plane, air traffic control, security and customs… give it up, there are much more stressful jobs out there than an AC flight attendant. They should get everything they deserve no more no less, they are hard working and good at their jobs, that does not make them the cornerstone of the aviation industry.
CK
To Doug: you clearly do not understand the industry. If you think flight are too expensive – take the bus!
John
Sorry but people who are on the side of the government have no idea what their talking about. I know some people who work for Air Canada as flight attendants and its no great job. First off, you start at less than $12 an hour. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING. Meaning you have to go through extensive training classes to learn EVERYTHING. You serve impatient customers AND YOU HAVE TO BE AVAILABLE 7 days a week. That’s right, no choice for a schedule. No one does it for the money, it’s for the experience.
Daniel in Ottawa
I wonder if the government will legislate them back with less than the company offers, like they did with the recent postal strike. The clear message to workers is, don’t go on strike because we will make you pay. The clear message to business is, you don’t have to bother negotiating in good faith ’cause we’ve got your back. Union-busting at its best.
Toronto_Bill
I am NOT looking forward to the possibility of getting stuck in Asia at the end of this trip. Next time I will either save money and take a US airline (United or Delta) or get the excellent service of an Asian airline- several of which are now offering nonstops out of YYZ, such as Hainan air (Beijing nonstop). Aeroplan is not really a reason to stay either- almost impossible to book a trip at the advertised point amounts. A 3-4 hour flight from Ottawa (Iqualuit) can cost $2,500. More competition long term is what we need. Short term, I think Harper is doing the right thing, but we really need to neutralize the public service unions entirely. They are sucking the lifeblood out of a great country- doing so much less and asking so much more (especially indexed pensions) than ordinary working Canadians.
CK
Bella is absolutely correct! The government has no right to intervene in this case. Lisa Raitt should stay out of this affair and if she doesn’t … so what – they should still strike!
Donny in Edmonton
I fly West Jet and have never looked back since I switched. If the government is going to legislate Air Canada’s flight attendants back to work, they might as well legislate some manners into them while they’re at it. I’m willing to bet money, that if the government were to attach a hefty pay cut to those flight attendants with the back-to-work legislation, the strike would be over before the bill passed.
Jagators
unions only care about their right to strike even canadian economy is still fragile. they wanted to screw the company for their own benefits on behalf of their workers. I hope one day in the near future, I hope Gov’t banned to right to strike for all unions to protect economy from being damaged.
scott
Don’t worry about it people. The airline and the government will put on a show for a week or two just to fool the taxpayer and when the taxpayers are distracted by something else, the canadian government will quietly or should I say secretly slip Air Canada a couple of hundred million to give to the union to shut them up. For those of you out there thinking of starting a business, I got a tip for you. Put Canada in the name of your business and you will have uncontrolled access to unlimited amounts of taxpayers money. Air Canada will never be forced to change as long as they have secret access to the never ending river of cash loving known as the canadian taxpayer.
T E Payne
The government has to STOP these unions. Union wage demands reduce corporate profits; and this prevents corporations from investing in job creation. To create economic growth the government has to stop interfering with the market place. It is shameful the way the Media reports these stories and interferes with the government.
abu
what a shame …our government is a joke .
bobby smith
last I heard westjet has no union
and the company is generous with employee share holding offers,but the seats are cramped compared to an airbus!The american ceo makes millions in bonuses probably for bashing the unions,it is a good “private” company and federal legislation doesn’t really apply anymore but it is a threat by the union bashing right!so managemant get you heads together and settle it!or you will be scabbing it!
Kim
Who cares. I won’t fly Air Canada. Who wants to put up with those crusty old, miserable flight attendants. They act like they are doing you a favour by serving you.
Johnny38
I see alot of typical hypocrisy in the comments of the socialists here, on one hand they think the government should butt out of this and claim its a private affair. On the other hand they are the 1st ones that wait for government to run our lives. They want government when it suits them.
Tom misses CP Air!
Haven’t read the details but let me guess. They want more money and better benefits for delivering a substandard product. That’s the Air Canada history. Why change now?
Bella
I do not see any reason for the government to step in the middle of a dispute between a private company and its employees. They have a legal right to negotiate a new collective agreement and should that fail they have a legal right to strike/lock out. There are alternatives to Air Canada and being inconvenienced is not a reason for the government to interfere in the process.
Mike from Lacombe
I would like to see Air Canada thrown to the wolves. I can’t help but notice that they’re either on strike or bankrupt depending on the day of the week, and their flight attendants’ service is shotty at best.
Ian Gooden
In reply to Andrew Stephens who thinks he knows about Ryanair, they have to accommodate by law wheelchair passengers, and no toilets have been removed from the aircraft.
Scotty787
I say we all step back and let Air Canada figure it out for themselves. No more bailing them out, no more intervening.Weren’t they doing this 6 months ago as well? They need to get their heads on straight and start running the company properly.Look at West Jet, have they had these strikes and have they had the government step in at all? Not that i am aware of… I think Air Canada could learn a thing or two from their competitors.
Big A
to Allain – Maybe the AC employees are private now but their mentallity is no different than when they were public employees for a crown corporation known as – you guessed it – Air Canada. Hence they are part of CUPE – duuhhhh
Daniel in Ottawa
Two union-management agreements rejected by employees, by 65%, with a threat of back-to-work legislation hanging over them. I’d say these employees are either severally out of touch, or there is something dreadfully wrong at this company. As for legislation? I am no fan of unions. They used to have a very useful role in our society, but now? I think I’ve already used the term ‘out of touch’. However, why does the government feel the need to intervene in private sector labour negotiations? This isn’t about the economy – nobody really believes that. It is clear the Conservatives agenda includes breaking unions at all levels. I think it’s a matter of time before this constitutional right is re-affirmed before the courts. The Conservative strategy will, as usual, backfire and we will all end up paying the price for it, once unions have regained their lost power.
Sarah Brandon
It comes to no surprise about AC. The have made it a pain to fly! You have to PAY to take a piece of LUGGAGE NOW! And the employees are RUDE! I will never fly AC again after to many problems!
Debbie
What has happened to Canadians’ right to collective bargaining? Let AC and the union negotiate and come to an agreement. Knowing that the government is ready to stick their noses into the affairs of a private company is unsettling and now AC knows they don’t have to negotiate at all. The government needs to butt out and quit union busting!
Nik
While I do wonder about the sanity of the CUPE employees, and will have to research the numbers offered as it wasn’t part of this article, I am more shocked by our government stepping into a private industry matter and forcing employees back to work. Air Canada is privately owned, and the government has no vested interest in the company. This is setting precedent where the government of Canada is forcing back to work striking employees of a wholly owned private enterprise, and that we should all take pause at.
kenteio
If they go on strike, replace them permanent. I dont see there is an issue.
Bev Potter
Doesn’t help when you have a vacation planned. You can’t get a refund unless they go on strike, so booking with reliable airlines (Not Air Canada) isn’t an option. Lastly if you book with a travel agent you have to reschedule with them. Did Air Canada forget it is Thanksgiving and everything is closed. WILL NEVER BOOK WITH AIR CANADA AGAIN. The funny thing is they don’t care either.
Blake
Like the police force, unions are a business. They do not care about the people they serve, though they give the illusion that the have your best interests at hand. But in the end, they are a BUSINESS. And anyone who is in business is in business to make MONEY. When you realize this, then you can take the next step of appropriate action.
Conservative Government – I think not.
Sounds like the hand of a liberal government to me! Interfering in business, but adhereing to basic conservative fiscal policy…If your conservative, let the market and businesses deal with strikers. Stay out of things.
steven katona
bravo sisters! bravo for having the courage to stand up to harper’s government. now we see the wisdom of canadian government as the brothers and sisters stand proud and wait for a new agreement! now we see who operates in bad faith! now we see our brothers and sisters forced to take action! now the world bares witness! canada standing proud and voicing their concerns for collective bargining rights! strike and let the cards fall where they may! strike and show harper what’s going to happen next! GENERAL STRIKE! SHUT IT ALL DOWN NOW!
RCawz
@Lori
I agree with your comments 100% and this is what is basically driving this dispute.
@Joe
Yes, it is one of the best airlines in the world and anyone who disputes this is just totally uninformed.
@ the comments that STILL refer to government bailout money. Please do your research before making such off the mark comments.
@ the comments about bad service and blah blah blah. I don,t know about you but almost every day I encounter bad service, bad product,rude employees, badly trained employees and mistakes being made…and this is in retail, banks, grocery stores and pretty much everywhere else. Oh yes, it also includes Westjet and Porter.
conservatives flip-flop
Funny how the conservatives in this country aren’t angry at their government’s interference in business. It goes against the conservative ideology. Reminds me of the American’s supporting massive government bailouts, which essentially turned them into a socialist state.What do you want Conservatives, socialist (with the hand of government managing things) or conservative (without government intervention in the economy)? If you want it both ways, call yourselves Liberal or NDP.
Doug
Air Canada on strike!The headline should be “Air Canada on strike . . . again!All they do is strike, over and over again!Canadian flights are too freaking expensive, taxes are too high and the well paid unions are on strike far too often. So we will just continue flying out of Syracuse or Buffalo. Have a good strike! Most people don’t care!
confused
The government shouldn’t be able to legislate “back-to-work”. Why would the employees return to work when legislated anyways? Who cares. A strike is a strike.
dare
I think Air Canada should give its employee some time with other ailines then they would realize how bad they are comparativily ahd take what they can get. I have been to over 47 countries in the world and without exception i have to say air canada flight crews are teh worse. You can blame it on whatever you want but in the end you don’t take your unhappiness out on the passengers. Most of them don’t want to be a member of a flight crew anymore and that is certainly reflected in attitude and service.
Rob Calgary
Its already at the point that the average family of four cannot afford to fly anymore, thanks to companies like AC, fuel taxes ,GST, airport taxes, baggage fees, HST, security taxes and every other tax they can invent to jack up the average price of a ticket. Its really time that CP Rail or another rail company bring back major passinger service across Canada. A high speed link between major cities. Then AC employees and unions can strike everyday and not interupt people who have to travel for work. Want create jobs build a major train passenger train across Canada and make sure they are not unionized!
Vahan
Why are the executives not be asked to solve this mess? Why is Harper hitting the working class employees with threats? Because working class employees don’t buy politicians. I read everyone commenting that AC is a terrible airline, then stop using them for your trips, the market will take care of the rest. If they are terrible it is because someone is hiring terrible employees, the employees don’t sprout out of the ground, it is a cultural thing at the airline. Awful parents make awful kids, so blame the top guy for the mess. The fish rots at the head first and this stinks. If they truly cared about the well being of their employees they would not be in this position. They sow animosity amongst employees, pit one group against the other. Nice work AC execs, this is all on you.
NR
One can’t help but wonder how the Asian and Far-Eastern Airlines have captured the very lucrative Airline Market? Of course it has to be the wonderful In-Flight services which captivates the passengers. In other words one would always want to fly with them. Perhaps the “National” Airline staff can try and emulate their counterparts in those foreign airlines; bring in the business and then cry for a raise. But I guess Union policies wouldn’t permit this. PITY! They appear to adhere to the “work to rule” policies very seriously. WAKE UP GUYS.
Mike
Don’t anybody blame the company about this. It’s always about the employees holding the company and customers hostage. What about the companies trying to force us into slave labour. They want us to work for nothing, they want to reduce or eliminate pensions, and they want us to work in unsafe conditions. The cost of living continues to rise yet they want to reduce wages. No wonder our economy is in such terrible disarray. I hope it crashes so the elite feel the crunch like the rest of us. What will they do with no one to serve them or bend over and take it up the rear? Please crash already so we can all learn some valuable lessons. The wages scale is way too off balance and it is just atrocious what athletes, ceo’s, and the so called intelligent elite make. Time to take a fall. See you when you land on reality.
steven
Well I think Harper interfering with workers rights is completely unacceptable!
Alan
My complaint is with pompous public sector unions and employees none of whom ever had to accept concessions. Here you have Air Canada a private sector union trying to stay alive with the concessions given by all employees and they get to a point where they are staying afloat and the employees are simply trying to get back some of what they had and everyone dumps all over them. Ryanair someone said, the most callous of companies. Ryanair customer service is an oxymoron.
Chris
I’ll tell you why I talk negative about unions…. THEY’RE MORE GREEDY than the corporations, that’s why!!! I’m sick and tired of being a citizen of this country that is constantly held hostage by these ingrates. Every time a strike happens in the medical field, I pray that I don’t have to visit a hospital. Every time a transport worker strikes, I lose my ride options. Every time Public Service strikes, I lose my essential services!!! GET THE POINT?!?! Oh and BTW, if you’re working in a JOB (not a career), and you don’t get a raise for 10 years, that’s your own fault for working there, I would have left that JOB after at most 1 year. If the Flight Attendances strike, I will LOSE MY OWN TRAINING AS I HAVE TO FLY TO GO ON A COURSE!!! So stop this madness already, be thankful you have a job, and if you don’t like it, THEN QUIT!!!
The purple helemt
Hear we go again the Harper government threatening workers if they go on strike they will be legislated back.. its already drafted up, My goodness what happened to collective bargaining in this country , I hope all these people who post comments on here no what’s in store for the next 4-5 years with the conservatives
Len
Have flown Air Canada a number of times before and have never had an issue with attendants. Have never flown West Jet but hear it is good. I’ve heard good and bad about each of the two air lines. That being said, the issue is about being forced back to work. The employees obviously feel that they are being mis-treated in some way. I’d rather have them happy. Again, having said that, they have the right to exercise their legal options in labor didputes. If Ms Raitt and her boss do put forth and pass a return to work legislation then we, as Canadians, know where they stand – for those who run big business and let the small guy fend for herself/ himself.
Sens/Habs Fan – Ottawa
It’s time for the Canadian Government to stop bailing out Air Canada with our money…and that goes with handing out billions to CBC…greedy and then some…the thanks you get is a “strike” or programs on CBC that we all do not want or like…thank gawd for Satellite and having a choice..and that goes for airlines also…
Lori
I don’t know any of the details of this situation, what the employees are asking for etc. I DO know that employees everywhere are getting fed up with companies crying “poor” when it comes to front line workers while handing out big profits to shareholders and a bloated upper management.
ronnieracoon
Re possible strike, these are spoiled and selfish employees that enjoy pensions and perks that few other canadians enjoy. I would love to see a Reagan like move and have the whole lot fired. The bargaining team for the union should also do the honourable thing and resign. They obvously have no further mandate carrying on negotiations with air canada.ronnieracoon
A Liberal on the Fence
We live in a democracy. majority rules. the electorate chose the conservatives. let them run as they see fit. when a person flies it is for a reason. I for one do not want to worry about a strike when i am in the air.
chris kanellopoulos
I find it amusing that everyone who writes in and announces that the govt should be stepping in and legislating back to work programs, do so for the reason that they have some sort of flight planned. Its a very self centered world we live in. Me, Me, Me…
Rob Western Canadian
RGA, get use to it, when my daughter went to school down east it happened three out four times. Flights cancelled at the last minute, meanwhile she took a bus for two hours to get there and cancelled flights leaving her starnded. Always been a battle flying with these guys! Great airline,their new motto is” we go out of our to p!!! our customers off” What really burns my butt is that they distroyed how many good airlines in Canada. And how much tax payers money has been given to AC over the past twenty years.Fly Westjet!
Josephine
Why is everyone so mad at the employees? AC is giving millions of dollars to their executives, why can’t the employees get a small portion of the profit. Some of these comments show just how much people don’t understand about capitalism. And the goverment needs to stay out of this!
AM
@RAB – from your post you obviously travel frequently for business. I wonder if you paid the expenses yourself if your opinions would be the same.
I personally will never travel Air Canada again – it’s been at least 5 years – since my husband and I were treated with absolute disdain by the staff on both the ground in flight.
Air travel is quite costly and if I am going to spend my hard earned money, it sure as hell is not going to be to a company who’s staff is rude and condesending.
Competence is no better on AC than any other airline, and I would much rather travel WestJet where the staff have a vested interest in the success of the company and therefore consider customer service an important part of the equation.
Hell, if I lived in Toronto proper, I would be all over Porter.
One of the worst things the Canadian government ever did was to bail Air Canada out.
Dean in Abby
No gov’t money for this lousy airline. If it can’t make it on its own, let it die along with the greedy union and managers as well. Westjet is the beacon of success and how employees and management can work together. No one should support Air Garbage.
ModerateWestern
No one likes Air Canada, let the old beast die and allow the market to create a new Canadian airline.
CAL
HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!! Maybe if we are so lucky this over priced crappy service airline will finally go under and be replaced with something a little more reasonable with good service. Oh to dream …
Mike on the Right
I find it amazing that people are talking so negative about the unions… tell me what if you did not get a pay raise for 10 years and your CEO gets an obscene multi-million package? Now there are morons saying fire all the Air Canada staff and get people who would work for min wage? How would you feel if I said that about your profession?
Bonnee McBride
More business for Wesjet and Porter.
TEA near Regina
Air Canada – the gift that keeps on taking…are we still supporting this second rate airline with taxpayers’ money? If so, sell it off…
Marc in Liberal Toronto
This is an example of workers living in lalal land. Their union leaders understand the situation and negociate in reality. The members still think they are entitled to the world and think hurting the average joe is the way to do it. Fire the lot start a new company and end this nonsense.
Joe Szentirmay
There is no right to “freedom of association” in this country as per the Supreme Court of Canada.A unionized employee is forced to pay union dues,even if he/she opts out of the union, due to the Rand Formula,which is essentially a protection racket.If unionized employees are able to hold a company hostage and in some cases put them out of business, then someone should be able to fight back against this injustice,in the benefit of the company.And that must be the government.If Air Canada employees don’t like their employer, you’re free to go elsewhere, and please do!
Greg
It seems like air canada has been in the news every other week this year and for nothing good to the customer. Whether there are real issues or not, having flight delays or problems is something that is a major inconvenience and I will take Westjet or even Porter over them from now on.
steveoh
Ok i totally understand air service being a essential service, due to cargo transport etc… But since when does mail, and boxes of cargo need a stewardess or in flight meal.. so on that note, i think they have every right to strike. i rarely travel, but if i do i respect the peoples right to demand a fair wage, i will take a train or bus, or even better a different airline. majority of air line employees dont make these crazy wages some people seem to think they do. do some research
Stewie
The Harper government is basically saying, you work for me! When in fact the people should hold the power. This is not an essential service, it’s a private business should be able to make it’s own choices. This government preached free enterprise smaller government. Harper increased the government by 12% so he can stick his nose into everyone’s business.
JetSetter
I am a Air Canada customer and have a flight booked in 2 weeks. I am asking the Government to NOT get involved. This dispute needs to be settled by the airline and their workers.
reidjr
Expat101 Why travel is so cheap in europe is over all land wise its not all that big and it does not take long to get from pojnt a to point b.In canada the issue is its a massive country go from halifax to inuvik thats a 11 hour flight go from montreal to vancouver thats a 6 hour flight etc that is why its not cheap.
zalia
I am a travel agent doing Business travel and can tell you what kind of HELL I went thru in the days of the last called Strike in September. When they are on strike it affects thousands of travel agents worldwide along with the rest of the travel industry. So keep that in mind people when you feel sorry for them and take their side! What about the many other people they affect during a strike? Our economy is fragile and when business travellers cant fly, it affects the economy. Simple as that. You have to remember that Air Canada has exclusive routes where other airlines dont fly.Unions are useless and cause more harm than good these days. They are just another way to bully everyone into their demands. They should be outlawed in Canada and yes, Air Canada is an essential service for business and someone needs to step up to make it official. Tired of them terrorizing us all!
Concerned
I depend on Air Canada to get me back and forth to visit my family as I work out of the province. I do not wish to rebook as this is my time with my family. It is important to me to have this time. I would only hope a solution will be agreed upon. If I had the option to fly another airline, I would but no other airline flies into the centre where I need to go. I understand the flight attendants are wanting more money but it does not mean the passengers need to be affected. The majority of passengers using the airlne depend on Air Canada to get them to where they wish to go. It is frustrating enough of delays that happened in the last six months. I hope they find a resolve.
Ross
The febs should mine there own business they will lose a lot of votes next time around. The febs are always sticking there nose where it is not wanted.
Push it all the way
This is a constitutional right and as with the injection site issue the union should push this all the way to the Supreme Court where there is little doubt the government will suffer another big blow to their neanderthal policies and another embarassment. How the post office locking out employees is acceptable (now that’s a real essential service for all not just corporate travellers!) but Air Canada is, is pure BS
randy
oh well better for westjet ive been on air canada one time i was not to impressed with ther management it,s very poorly set up i don,t like unions but i agree for ettendants to go on strike to give them better working conditions which they do desserve i wish them the best of luck.
Ken
Big nanny government likes to tell businesses how they should operate. I thought that was something only a communist government would do.
Brian from Winnipeg
Strikes, like Unions – belong in a museum as part of the Industrial Revolution Display. There is no good and defensible reason why Canadians much less our economy must be inconvenienced by these Flight Attendants.
Jason in Edmonton
@Prof Not a Pye Chartt. First, you must live in Toronto, where AC is certainly not an essential service. However, if you live elsewhere in Canada, then AC is an essential service. It has been propped up and bailed out by the federal government, as well as given the choice of routes and terminals. It gets all this preferential treatment precisely because it is an essential service. Finally, your comment about driving to Buffalo is very telling. The state of the Canadian airline industry is such that many people make the decision that you do. And, if you are a staunch union supporter, as your comment would indicate, maybe you should consider flying on union airlines (Air Canada) instead of driving to the US so you can fly on non-union airlines.
RGA
If my daughter can’t get home from school during her fall break because of this, watch how fast this usually liberal citizen moves to backing conservatives.
Prof not a Pye Chartt
You folks saying the government should intervine in this dispute need to give your heads a good shaking. AC is not deemed an essential service like police and fire fighters would be. This is nothing more than Harper busting unions and at what point does he stop. If he suceeds then he can arbitrally start stripping all Canadians of thier rights and YES, this union HAS a right to strike if they so choose. What’s next with this Harper Government (TM), legislate the Dog Walkers Union back to work???? Stay out of this Harper as it is a private business doing negotiations with their employees. I never fly with any airline in Canada anyways as they just cost too much so I jump over to Buffalo and fly from there.
EK
The sheer lunacy of these prior comments shows that there is a lack of understanding on the issues affecting AC employees, from the flight attendants right on up to the pilots. Many concessions have been made by the rank-and-file over the last 10 years, and there is a movement to restore wages and benefits to reflect the company’s current global position. As for those comments on how poor of an airline Air Canada is, I would advise them to look at AC’s overall safety record, on-time performance, the Star Alliance partnerships, etc…as someone once said, the proof is in the pudding.
Dean
Unions are evil they are stopping these corporations from continuing to make the same profits they were making prior to the recession.
Air Canada should fire them all. Offer min wage (salary 40 hr week)jobs to immigrants who would be more than happy to take the jobs. With it being salary they could maybe get 50+ hrs a week out of them and only have to pay for 40.
Say goodbye to the middle class people.
R A B
It amazes me how many people still put down AC when it has revolutionized the industry in North America and continues to win international quality and service awards. As a major frequent flier, apart from a few hiccups I can honestly say that service on the ground and in the air is always exceptional with AC. And I have flown on Westjet many times and there is always something wrong – have you ever had a flight attendant spill drinks on you without so much as a ‘sorry’? As an international carrier, AC ranks up there among the better ones so please stop taking it for granted. We’ve got a good thing with AC and we as Canadians should be proud of our national carrier.
That said, there are still major areas for improvement. Like their frequent flier program for one. And their employee relations for another. But in this case, I completely blame the union and am on side with the Harper government. I have a major trip planned for this Friday that can’t be rescheduled, and if AC cancels my flight because of this I will lose significant investment dollars and goodwill with overseas customers. Not good for the Canadian economy at this time. The union has to accept the deal that their elected officials worked out – otherwise I’m all for canning them and hiring new. Maybe that would save AC in a time where most private employees have no pensions, have not seen wage increases in several years, and have been dealing with lesser benefits for a while now.
Nick
I find it funny what people still believe about Air Canada. It is a private company since 1988. Staff do not travel free discounted yes but not free. Letting other airlines into Canada would be worse for Canada. You think United is going to fly from Toronto to Charlottetown? No they wont. Ask anyone who travels like me Air Canada is better then any US carrier. If the government wants to they can buy out all the shares and make it a crown corp if they like then they can say how things should go.
Allan
By voting they cast their democratic right. And the majority said no deal. So here the government goes again in forcing a contract down the throats of the workers. What company will ever bargain fairly when this happens. I hope there will be continued disruption in this company as the worker seek jobs else where. We have seen this before in health care. The good employee’s will leave to find better conditions else where. Air Canada and the government both suck. How about legislating the companies to bargain fairly?
Odysseus
Air Canada is a wholly private enterprise. Why is the Government intervening, effectively on behalf of management, strengthening their negotiating position, in this matter?
Collective Bargaining is a Supreme Court of Canada recognised right of labour, including the right to deny service to an employer. It is a Charter of Rights enshrined principle that people of this nation have the right to freely associate and to collectively negotiate with an employer for pay benefits. The actions on the part of this Government to prevent a labour disruption are unjustifiable in terms of demonstrable harm to the public good when compared with the unconstitutional draconian application of the might of the Crown in this suppression of labour in the pursuit of just equitable collective agreement.
Tractorgurl
Who Cares! I think we could all live without Air Canada.
Andrew Stevens
@expat…It’s Ryanair, not Ryan Air. It’s the worst airline in the world. Please do some research before pulling a name you obviously have no experience with out of a hat. From not accommodating wheel chairs to removing toilets, Ryanair is not an airline we should wish on ourselves. There are alternatives for people too cheap to fly, it’s called Greyhound. I won’t make the 13 hour flight from Toronto to Beijing on any airline but Air Canada and I certainly wouldn’t make it on some cut rate bargain basement carrier that puts passenger safety, customer service and comfort behind enormous profits. I support the AC flight attendants and wish the Harpo would stick to renaming the navy and decorating foreign missions.
Chat
Air Canada is more or less an essential service. It is totally unacceptable that they can just stop working! I find it amazing that those who already have jobs can endanger a fragile economy and put tens of thousands of others’ jobs at risk, during these hard times. How selfish of them.
Gerry
Just one more more West Jet and no Air Canada would be a good thing.
M A C
Ok…two negotiated deals by the union are voted down by its membership?? What the hell is going on with CUPE and the Flight Attendants…are they just not speaking the same language. Also do these employees understand what they are doing by voting NO? This is a Majority HARPER government, they already screwed the posties back work with a worse deal than what was on the table with their union, think they won’t do it here? Also A/C already has back-up ready to go, they have been preparing for a strike for weeks, that is if the Harper Clan doesn’t step in. I have never seen a Union twice negotiate a contract and have it turned back by its members….I think that is the important question that needs to be answered in any story here…can a journalist somewhere speak to the flight attendants and get their two cents to air? Glad I don’t fly too much…good luck to those who do, because once these employees are sent back to work with a wage even less than they make now their service is going to be special!!! Very Special….
J.C.
Enough with the constant threat of strike. Fire them all and rehire people willing to work. This continuous striike threat nonsense has to stop.Taxpayers cannot be expected to continuously support this airline. These people will never be satisfied no matter what they are offered. Air Canada will end up with less passengers in the long run, may end up in bankruptcy and close its doors. This has happened to many companies due to employees overly unreasonable demands.Until that happens these employees will never get it in their heads that enough is enough,.
Janessa
If I was given a free flight to anywhere with Air Canada I would give it away. I cannot believe anyone would want to submit themselves to such an imcompetent airline. I haven’t for 11 years but continue to hear of diasterous service and think….. Why do you still book with them?
Joe Szentirmay
Air Canada is one of the best airlines in the world, but their reputation is being tarnished by unionized employees,in this case, flight attendants.These attendants are not acting in good faith while trying in extort benefits that the company cannot afford.It’s high time we as a society say no to being extorted from and bullied by unions.They are nothing more than a protection racket.
arlene2
Help. I’m booked to travel on day beyond this window .. on the 16th … and I NEED to travel then. How upsetting.
renal colic
The key question is , are airline workers making a fair decent wage for what they do for a living based on required training/rarity of expertise and level of responsibility. If the answer is yes then the strike is unfounded but if it is no then a strike is the only means by which workers have to demand a fair shake from corporations and governments. We live in a time once again where right wing governments and their corporate allies are squeezing down the incomes of the middle class. this “policy” is designed to create more profits for the rich executives and corporations. Its interesting to see that executive salaries, which are already obscene, continue to go up some 20-25% while the average worker’s is not even meeting inflation. We see in the USA what happens when you dismantle and discredit unions and workers means to negotiate a fair salary…people start marching in the streets. Whe Joe executive make well over a million dollars a year and pays next to no income tax therein lies the problem with the system not unions. But on the other hand , when a guy with grade 12 education pushing a broom on a shop floor makes significantly more than me with several years of university training and many more of experience high levels of job responsibility then this is also a problem for society and why people get fed up with unions and strikes.
D Teed
There is a problem in some of the thinking going on here. If you believe the flight attendants don’t need to strike and can switch jobs to another airline, then how is it that a work stoppage at one airline can paralyze a country? You are saying the flight attendants have the freedom to fly with another company, so then it should be true of passengers as well. If Air Canada is so big that this isn’t practical, then maybe the first thought about not needing a union to help is bogus?
John
I don’t understand AC at all, in these difficult times work with your people and make it happen. Over the last 40 years of flying AC they are either bad in the air or bad on the ground. Try dealing with their call centre in Tampa, you get grunts, told this isn’t Thanksgiving and poor customer service. Time for both parties to figure out a way to make it work and make us proud. When friends abroad want to visit Canada I never tell them fly AC, sad isn’t it……..
Get rid of the union
If I paid a portion of my hard earned salary to a union whose efforts to represent my interests was subject to government interference, I’d have to say it’s time to get rid of the union and work without their help. Most Unions have become a detriment to the employee and to society. They are out of control, and the wrong people are affected by their actions which are beyond acceptable.
bellesque
So, the flight I have to San Diego on the 22nd might not happen. And I might not be able to book with another airline if I do it will certainly be at a much higher price. And if I don’t make the trip, I still have to pay for a couple of things anyway, like a hotel room that can’t be cancelled now and a convention fee, so I’ll be out maybe $1500 or even more, depending on the rebooking cost, and naturally AC or the union won’t reimburse me for the money and there’s no compensation for the stress. This will make me feel so much better about the grumpy and cranky AC flight attendants that have worked on so many of the flights I’ve taken over the years.
enough is enough
If they are going to be on strike, might as well fire them and start from scratch. Free travel, good benefits. What more do they need. If they want to be considered as Canada’s national airline, maybe it is time to make them an essential service.
Mike Lebreton
Enough with the strikes! If you are so valuable, and your employer does not recognise it – take your skills to another company. If you are really as good as you think, West Jet or Porter will snap you up. Your real power lies in your ability to take your skills and experience to the competition. If the competition won’t hire you – perhaps you should rethink your stance.
Bob
I think the government should act. Although I believe the union representation is acting in good faith, having settled twice… I don’t believe the same can be said for the intransigent rank and file. Their petulance cannot be allowed to hold a nation hostage.
Expat101
D’ya think it’s time to end the protectionism and pandering to this company? Air Canada is the worst airline on the planet!! Open up the market and let some of the other (much cheaper) airlines service our great country! Sheesh – a country this size ought to have the cheapest transportation in the world. Look at what Ryan Air has done for Europe.
Mark
More and more great news from organized labour. McGuinty and his union friends now have another mandate in Ontario so we will have more of this to look forward to with all of the unions such as the teachers, OPSU and so on (you know, the ones he bought off with secret deals?).Thank heavens there is a government in Ottawa and Toronto with a spine.
Pugfire
quote: Air Canada said it would allow customers booked for travel over the next six days to change dates free of charge. unquote.WOW just how magnanimous and thoughtful of their customers they are. I guess it is hard to break their ingrained attitude that there is an extra charge for everything.
Related posts:
- Air Canada flight attendants reject second tentative agreement MONTREAL – Air Canada (TSX: AC.A) is facing more...
- In Canada, Opposition Grows to Purchase of F-35s The purchase has been a festering political issue in...
- Air Canada threatens to pull NHL sponsorship DALLAS (AP) — In an unusually public faceoff between...
Here's my latest list of favorite spots in New York for your next 'layover'
My baby sister, Kristy, was invited to ... 
Excited About Facebook's IPO? Not So Fast
If employers like American Airlines get their way, private Facebook chats, posts, photos and ... 
I could run American Airlines better from a jumpseat in the 767 galley!
AA's decision to file a lawsuit against me ... 
Kimpton Palomar San Diego
[caption id="attachment_28606" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Fergie made up for lost time in San Diego"][/caption]
Fergie and I were scheduled ... 
American Airlines Files Lawsuit Against Gailen David
American Airlines has just filed a lawsuit against The Sky Steward for his videos, ... 
Can't Keep a Secret?
What are some of your favorite secret spots in some of the best parks in the United ... 
IMPORTANT: Be sure to like and share this post with the tools above ^
How to upgrade your flight to a ... 
Like and Share this article with the handy tools above! Thank you! ^
Before you read this article
The article you are ... 
In this episode, The Aluminum Lady speaks to Bain about how to get rid of some flight attendants while making ... 
ALUMINIUM
"The Aluminum Lady" stars as the Minister of Flight Attendants for American Airlines, ruling over their 17,000 flight attendants. She's ... 
[caption id="attachment_27372" align="alignnone" width="580" caption="Apple 737"][/caption]
AppleAir Now Boarding?
Don't you wish? How would you feel if Apple were to be launching ... 
Merger? Maybe that's a bit of a dramatic and slightly inaccurate way to state it but it reads well in ... 