Air Canada is systematically reducing flights in preparation for a strike by the Air Canada branch of the flight attendant union CUPE, which will begin on the 16th. It was revealed that approximately 300 flights have been cancelled so far on the 15th. Air Canada said that approximately 500 flights will be cancelled by the end of today.
A series of cancellations, primarily on international long-haul routes, began in the afternoon, including flights from Vancouver to Osaka and from Toronto to Haneda. Flights from Narita to Vancouver, Osaka to Vancouver, and Narita to Toronto on the 16th have also already been cancelled.
CUPE announced that it would reject the government’s deadline for intervention, which was set for noon on the 15th (Eastern Standard Time), and would insist on resolving the issue through negotiations with Air Canada. If no agreement is reached, a strike will begin at 1:00 AM Eastern Standard Time on the 16th and 9:00 PM Pacific Standard Time on the 15th. In that case, all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights to and from Canada will be cancelled. A strike was avoided at the last-minute during negotiations with the pilots’ union.
The union is demanding a wage increase and 100% coverage of unpaid work that is not covered by wages, and says it has no intention of backing down.
Air Canada has told passengers that if their flight is cancelled, they will be rebooked on another flight or given a full refund.