An arbitrator has set the final wage rates for flight attendants at Air Canada, resolving a labor dispute that disrupted travel for many last summer. The rates agreed upon in a tentative deal for Air Canada’s main line flight attendants were upheld, while there was an increase in the first-year rates for those at Rouge.
The bargaining committee for the Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) expressed disappointment 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 significant 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 sent to arbitration. Despite initial resistance from the union, negotiations resumed, leading to a tentative agreement being reached.
The contract includes a 12% salary increase for junior Air Canada flight attendants and an 8% bump for senior members in the first year. Rouge flight attendants will see a 13% increase in the first year. Subsequent annual increases are set at 3%, 2.5%, and 2.75% for both Air Canada and Rouge flight attendants until March 2029.
Additionally, the agreement addressed the issue of unpaid work during ground time. Flight attendants will now receive a percentage of their hourly wage rate for ground time, with incremental increases over the coming years. The terms regarding ground pay were finalized in the agreement and were not subject to further arbitration.
Recent findings from the federal government’s probe into compensation practices in the airline sector did not indicate any violations of the federal minimum wage standards. However, concerns were raised about compensation practices for part-time and entry-level flight attendants, which will undergo further scrutiny.
Overall, the finalization of wage rates for Air Canada’s flight attendants marks a significant step towards resolving the labor dispute that had disrupted travel and caused uncertainty for many passengers.