An arbitrator has finalized the wage rates for flight attendants at Air Canada, resolving a labor dispute that disrupted travel for many last summer. The arbitrator upheld the rates from a tentative deal for Air Canada’s main line attendants but increased the first-year raise for Rouge attendants.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) bargaining committee for Air Canada expressed disappointment with the outcome. Over 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants went on strike in August, prompting government intervention under the Canada Labour Code to enforce binding arbitration.
Despite initial rejection of the terms by flight attendants, a new agreement was reached with wage increases of 12% for junior attendants and 8% for senior members in the first year. Rouge attendants will see a 13% increase in the first year. The contract, effective until March 2029, also addressed issues like ground pay and unpaid work during flight downtime.
Recent government investigations into compensation practices for flight attendants did not find violations of federal minimum wage laws but highlighted concerns about pay practices for part-time and entry-level staff.
