**As negotiations falter over salary and working conditions, Air Canada suspends operations in response to labor unrest.**
**Air Canada Flight Attendants Strike Grounds Hundreds of Flights**
**Air Canada Flight Attendants Strike Grounds Hundreds of Flights**
**The strike by over 10,000 flight attendants disrupts travel for approximately 130,000 passengers daily.**
Air Canada has grounded all flights as a strike initiated by its cabin crew took effect, affecting the travel plans of about 130,000 passengers daily. The strike, confirmed by the union representing more than 10,000 flight attendants, commenced at 00:58 ET on Saturday with expectations of significantly disrupting operations. The airline also noted that it would suspend all flights, including those operated by its budget subsidiary, Air Canada Rouge, advising customers against going to the airport unless traveling with alternate airlines.
Flight attendants are pursuing better pay and compensation for hours worked while aircraft remain on the ground. In anticipation of the strike, Air Canada started reducing operations prior to the official start time, leading to the cancellation of 623 flights on the preceding Friday and affecting over 100,000 passengers. Routine operations from Air Canada Jazz, PAL Airlines, and Air Canada Express reportedly remain unaffected by the strike.
In ongoing contract negotiations, Air Canada has proposed a total compensation increase of 38% over four years, including a 25% raise in the first year; however, the union, CUPE, has rejected this offer, branding it as insufficient and below both inflation and market standards. The union claims that it has been negotiating in good faith for over eight months, yet Air Canada sought government intervention for arbitration instead of reaching a settlement through direct negotiation.
Earlier this month, an overwhelming 99.7% of the union's members voted in favor of a strike, signaling strong discontent among workers. In a statement, Canadian jobs minister Patty Hajdu called upon both parties to return to the bargaining table to resolve the dispute, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Nonetheless, CUPE maintains its stance that Air Canada’s conduct during negotiations has not demonstrated a willingness to cooperate, leading to the current disruption in air travel.
