An arbitrator has finalized the wage rates for flight attendants at Air Canada, resolving the labor dispute that disrupted travel for numerous individuals last summer. The rates agreed upon in a tentative deal for Air Canada’s main line flight attendants were maintained, while an increase in the first year was implemented for those at Rouge.
The bargaining committee of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) representing Air Canada flight attendants expressed discontent with the outcome, stating it was not the desired result. The dispute arose when over 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants went on strike in August, causing widespread travel disruptions.
Following government intervention under Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, the strike was halted, and both the airline and the union were directed into binding arbitration. Despite initial resistance from the union, negotiations resumed, leading to a tentative agreement being reached.
The agreement included various terms related to pensions, health benefits, rest periods, and vacations, which were already deemed final by both parties. However, in September, Air Canada flight attendants voted overwhelmingly to reject the wage offer within the agreement.
As per the agreement terms, the wage dispute was to be referred to mediation and arbitration if members rejected the deal. Ultimately, a 12% salary increase for junior flight attendants and an 8% increase for senior members in the first year were agreed upon. Rouge flight attendants were granted a 13% increase in the first year, with subsequent annual increases outlined in the contract.
Additionally, the agreement addressed the issue of unpaid work during ground time, ensuring flight attendants receive a percentage of their hourly wage rate for such duties. Recent investigations by the federal government did not find evidence of compensation practices falling below the federal minimum wage in the airline sector but highlighted the need for further scrutiny of compensation practices for certain categories of flight attendants.