Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants have begun voting on whether to go on strike. The strike vote comes following stalled contract talks involving more than 10,000 members represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). Union leaders cite low pay, unpaid hours, and a lack of progress at the bargaining table.
What is the timeline for the strike vote?
The strike vote opened at 2 PM EDT on July 28 and will close at 2 PM EDT on August 5. CUPE has confirmed that voting is being conducted electronically so as to include maximum participation from its workforce nationwide. If the vote for strike dries up a yes, the union can authorise an immediate strike post a coerced 21-day cooling-off period. That cooling-off period will end at 12:01 AM EDT on August 26, and thus all strikes at the very soonest may only start after August 29.
Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants begin strike vote amid stalled contract talks.
Why are flight attendants prepared to strike?
Union authorities have argued vehemently about remuneration, work conditions, and the withholding of constructive negotiations. They complain new hires are paid $1,951.30 a month, a sum that barely passes as livable in most cities.
The issue of forced unpaid work, such as pre-flight briefings, boarding, and deplaning, is a major grievance. CUPE states that flight attendants put in an average of 35 hours of unpaid work every month.
Their boycott campaign has been spreading rapidly online within industry circles and among labour advocates.
Will a strike happen immediately?
The strike never starts immediately after the vote. Almost 21 days have to pass in cooling-off time, according to federal labour laws, even after the strike vote has been carried successfully.
The union then has to give a notice period of at least 72 hours from that point before it can engage in any job action. So, these disturbances are not expected until the final days of August. Union men have said the vote is being conducted for leverage and not to rush into a walkout.
Strike vote follows stalled contract talks involving 10,000+ CUPE-represented Air Canada and Rouge flight attendants.
Contract negotiations have hit a standstill
The beginning stage of negotiations between Air Canada and CUPE was initiated in December 2024, with no progress having taken place since the first half of 2025.
The collective agreement expired on March 31, 2025; therefore, workers have had no contracts for the past four months.
Both parties entered federal conciliation in June, but no tentative agreement surfaced.
Air Canada says it remains committed to the process and hopeful that a deal can be reached without disruption. Union leaders, however, warn that time is running out.
Air Canada responds to strike vote plans
In a public statement, the airline stated that a strike vote is a normal part of labour relations. If the vote does not favour the company, it does not necessarily mean a strike or service disruptions will occur.
“The company remains open to continued dialogue,” said an Air Canada spokesperson. The airline intends to plan for any disruptions that may arise in the event of job action.
Should any delays be occasioned by labour disputes, Canadian airline regulations do not guarantee customer compensation.
What are the implications for travellers?
Any strike would cause travel delays at the end of August. Standard Air Canada operations are conducted at the major airports at Toronto Pearson, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary.
Typically, 100,000 passengers each day, the majority on cross-border and transatlantic flights, are carried by the airline.
If the job action goes ahead, the top international flights could be subject to delays, cancellations, and consolidations. Earlier labour disputes saw service cutbacks and prolonged wait times for customers.
Air Canada might waive fees or make flexible re-bookings available. But, Canadian guidelines stipulate that passengers must not be compensated if disruptions result from labour strikes. It would be wise for travellers to listen out for news and airline announcements in the weeks ahead.
Broader labour movement impact
This vote may influence labour relations in the airline industry throughout Canada.
CUPE represents flight attendants numbering over 18,500 across Canadian airlines.
A strike vote in favour could be the nation’s strongest push towards fairer wages and working conditions.
Separate were the Air Canada pilots, who settled in September 2024 to receive 42 per cent in pay rises over four years.
The pact prevented a pilot strike and may set expectations for cabin crew talks.
CUPE has held national briefing sessions via Zoom and in person.
Organisers say member support is strong and growing as conditions stagnate.
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Final thoughts on a pivotal vote
Possibly affecting the entire travel industry, the strike decision by flight attendants is a significant one indeed. It has long been an issue in labour matters in the aviation sector.
Flight attendants, mainly the freshers, contend that the existing pay scale is unsustainable. Union leaders claim they want to pursue negotiations but want a mandate to put pressure on management.
Officially, Air Canada says that negotiations are in good faith. Passengers and analysts now watch closely as the voting draws to its conclusion.
When the intervening cool-off period ends soon, all sides are confronted by the critical weeks that lie ahead.
