Airline staff coordinate concurrent protests at four airport locations
Canadian Flight Attendants to Protest 'Poverty Wages' as Arbitration Decision Looms
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has announced a day of mobilization on Monday at four major Canadian airports, as negotiations between Air Canada and CUPE reach a critical stage. The protests are aimed at raising awareness about the "poverty wages" of flight attendants, despite the resumption of flights following government-mandated arbitration to resolve the outstanding working conditions and wages dispute.
The dispute, which has seen Air Canada flight attendants stage a strike and the airline lock out its employees, has been ongoing since March 31, 2025, when the previous collective agreement expired. CUPE flight attendants voted overwhelmingly (99.7%) to strike, and served a strike notice on August 13. The strike began on August 16, resulting in over 700 flights being cancelled daily.
Air Canada had offered a 38% wage increase over four years, including 25% in the first year. However, CUPE rejected this offer as insufficient, citing that it was below inflation and market value. CUPE sought wage parity with Air Transat flight attendants, who achieved the highest pay in the industry in Canada in 2024.
In response, CUPE claims to have made concessions and submitted revised wage proposals on August 11 and 12, 2025. However, Air Canada declared an impasse, withdrew from bargaining, and requested government intervention under section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to end the strike legally. CUPE protested this move as undermining free collective bargaining.
The Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) found the ongoing strike unlawful, ordered CUPE leaders to call off the strike immediately, and mandated flight attendants to return to work. Binding arbitration will determine the final collective agreement terms over the coming weeks.
Negotiations between Air Canada's management and CUPE resumed last Friday, but the conciliation process did not result in an agreement. The parties have been in talks since the beginning of the year.
In addition to the protests, Air Canada flight attendants are demanding that the airline recognizes unpaid work during negotiations. The gatherings will take place at 1:00 PM Eastern Time at Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Calgary International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport.
The day of mobilization is a demonstration of the union's commitment to securing fair wages for its members and improving working conditions for flight attendants. As the binding arbitration process unfolds, both parties will await the arbitrator's decision with anticipation.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is also urging support from French companies and financial institutions, considering Air Canada's significant ties with the French aerospace industry. Protests are not limited to the domestic front, as CUPE seeks international attention and pressure to address the issue.
