What is the core dispute between Air Canada and flight attendants?

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The core dispute between Air Canada and its flight attendants centres on compensation for ground duties and a demand for wage increases within a new collective agreement.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing Air Canada's flight attendants, has highlighted that ground work, including the boarding process, is not currently compensated. This forms a significant part of their argument as negotiations for a new collective agreement have reached an impasse. CUPE has publicly stated that Air Canada's recent offers are insufficient, describing them as "below inflation (and) below market value," and is actively seeking a wage increase for its members.
Compensation for Ground Duties

A primary point of contention raised by CUPE is the lack of compensation for flight attendants' time spent on the ground performing duties, such as assisting passengers during boarding. This issue is central to the union's push for revised terms in the new collective agreement, arguing that this unpaid labour needs to be addressed.
Wage Increase Demands

Beyond the compensation for ground duties, CUPE is also demanding a general wage increase for the flight attendants. The union has explicitly rejected Air Canada's latest offer, deeming it inadequate and not reflective of current market rates or the rising cost of living, indicating that wage adjustments are a critical component of their negotiation stance.
Rejection of Offers and Stance on Negotiations

CUPE has formally dismissed Air Canada's most recent offer, labelling it as "below inflation (and) below market value." This rejection underscores the significant gap between the union's expectations and the airline's proposals. The union has also declined a request to resolve the outstanding issues through arbitration, preferring to continue direct negotiations or pursue other industrial actions.
Air Canada's Position on Offers

Air Canada, on the other hand, maintains that the offers it has put forward during the negotiation process have been fair. The airline's head of public affairs, Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, has characterized the union's approach to negotiations as "superficial." This highlights a fundamental disagreement on the perceived fairness and adequacy of the proposed terms from both sides.

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What is the core dispute between Air Canada and flight attendants?

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