Chad Blewett is a Captain on the Boeing 737 Max for Air Canada
Air Canada’s 10,400 flight attendants have reached a tentative agreement with the airline, ending a three-day strike that grounded flights and disrupted travel for thousands of passengers.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents the attendants, announced the breakthrough Tuesday. Details of the agreement will be presented to members for ratification in the coming days. The union had long pressed for pay covering duties such as boarding and safety preparations, which are not included in standard wages.
Air Canada confirmed the mediated settlement, reached under the guidance of mediator William Kaplan, will allow attendants to return to work immediately. The carrier says the first flights are scheduled for the evening of August 19, but warns it could take seven to ten days to fully stabilize operations, as aircraft and crews are out of position.
President and CEO Michael Rousseau apologized for the disruption, calling the suspension of service “extremely difficult” for customers, and asked for patience as operations are restored.
Air Canada typically carries 130,000 passengers daily and operates more flights to the U.S. than any other foreign carrier. During the disruption, the airline cancelled hundreds of flights and offered refunds, credits, or rebooking options.
While the terms of the tentative deal are not yet public, CUPE says the agreement represents progress on key issues for workers. With the settlement in place, no further strike or lockout action is possible during ratification, meaning customers can once again book and travel with confidence.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
