Air Canada Flight Attendants Send Resounding 'No' to Wage Offer Amidst Soaring Living Costs

Air Canada flight attendants have delivered an unequivocal message to their employer: the proposed wage offer is simply not enough. In a powerful display of unity and dissatisfaction, members of Unifor, representing over 10,000 flight attendants across the airline, overwhelmingly rejected a tentative collective agreement.

The union announced a staggering 99.8 per cent vote against the proposed deal, signaling deep frustration with its terms, especially in the face of persistently high inflation and the escalating cost of living.

This decisive rejection underscores the flight attendants' firm belief that the offer failed to adequately recognize their vital contributions and the financial pressures they currently face.

Unifor's national president, Lana Payne, emphasized the clear message from her members: "This is an overwhelming rejection of a tentative agreement that fell far short of our members’ expectations." Payne highlighted the critical role flight attendants play in ensuring passenger safety and comfort, stressing that they deserve a fair contract that reflects their essential work and provides meaningful improvements to their working conditions and benefits.

Wesley Lesosky, president of Unifor's Air Canada Component, echoed this sentiment, stating that the proposed agreement was "simply not good enough." Lesosky pointed out that despite their dedication and sacrifice, especially during the challenging years of the COVID-19 pandemic, flight attendants are still grappling with the financial fallout of previous concessions and the current economic climate.

During the pandemic, many airline workers, including flight attendants, accepted significant concessions to help their companies navigate the unprecedented crisis.

Now, with Air Canada posting profits – including a first-quarter profit of $59 million this year after several quarters of losses – employees are rightfully seeking a deal that compensates them for their past sacrifices and addresses present-day economic realities. The previous collective agreement for these flight attendants expired in March 2024.

The union is now preparing to seek a new mandate from its members, which could include authorizing strike action.

This move would provide Unifor with additional leverage as they head back to the bargaining table, determined to secure an agreement that truly values their members. The overwhelming rejection vote serves as a powerful testament to the flight attendants' resolve and their collective demand for a contract that reflects their worth and ensures their financial well-being in an increasingly expensive world.