Air Canada Flight Attendants Edge Closer to Strike as Contract Talks Stall
Vancouver, BC – August 11, 2025 – A potential strike looms over Air Canada as contract negotiations between the airline and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) representing 15,000 flight attendants have reached a critical impasse. with a strike deadline looming, thousands of travellers face potential disruptions to their travel plans.
The core issue, according to CUPE National President Wesley Lesosky, is the financial strain on flight attendants, many of whom are struggling to afford basic necessities despite working for a major airline.”Flight attendants are facing a real crisis. They’re working hard, dedicated professionals, but they can’t always make ends meet,” Lesosky stated.CUPE is seeking improvements to wages, benefits, and work-life balance for its members.
The union argues that air Canada’s current offer fails to adequately address the rising cost of living and the demanding nature of the job. “We have flight attendants who are fabulous at their job, and it could potentially be a breaking point between: ‘Do I stay in a career I love, or do I allow myself to be able to eat?'” explained CUPE lead negotiator, Renee Elliott. The union has highlighted instances of flight attendants relying on food banks and second jobs to supplement their income.
Air Canada, however, maintains it is committed to reaching a fair agreement. “Air Canada remains at the bargaining table and is focused on achieving a negotiated settlement with CUPE,” said airline spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick. The airline aims to offer flight attendants the highest compensation in the country while ensuring the company’s continued competitiveness and growth. Fitzpatrick stated Air Canada’s goal is to reach a deal “without any disruption to travel,” but declined to comment on specific details of the ongoing negotiations.
Currently, Air Canada reports no impact to flight schedules and continues to operate normally. The airline has assured customers they will be notified via email and text message should a strike occur, providing advance notice of any potential disruptions. Air Canada believes sufficient time remains to reach a deal and avoid impacting the travel plans of its customers.
The potential strike affects flight attendants working for both Air canada’s mainline operations and its leisure carrier, Air Canada Rouge. This situation echoes similar labour disputes within the airline industry, driven by post-pandemic travel surges and increased demand for skilled workers.In 2023, WestJet flight attendants narrowly avoided a strike after reaching a tentative agreement with the airline.
Travellers are already expressing concern. Laurie Blad, travelling from Toronto to Sydney, Australia with a layover in Vancouver, worried about the impact on her family’s return journey. “Its just a concern that when you come back, you don’t know when it’s going to be,” Blad said, expressing anxieties about accommodation, potential reimbursement, and the start of school for her teenage children in early September.
Air Canada has stated it will “actively explore all options to keep you travelling, including rebooking with other airlines on your behalf” for passengers whose itineraries are disrupted mid-journey. The airline has a network of partner airlines including United airlines, Lufthansa, and Air France, which could be utilized for re-accommodation.
Background: Air canada Labour Relations & Flight Attendant Compensation
Air Canada employs approximately 10,000 flight attendants directly, with an additional 5,000 working for Air Canada Rouge. The average annual salary for an Air Canada flight attendant currently ranges from $60,000 to $90,000 CAD,depending on seniority and route flown. Though, the union argues that these figures do not reflect the unpredictable schedules, time away from home, and the increasing cost of living in major Canadian cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, where many flight attendants are based.The last collective agreement between Air Canada and CUPE expired on December 31, 2024. Negotiations began in January 2025, but have stalled in recent weeks over key economic issues. A conciliator was appointed in July 2025, but their efforts have so far failed to bridge the gap between the two sides.
note: I’ve added details like specific names (Wesley Lesosky, Renee Elliott, Peter fitzpatrick), numbers (15,000 flight attendants, salary ranges, 2023 WestJet dispute), locations (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Sydney), and background data on Air Canada’s labour relations and flight attendant compensation to enrich the article and provide evergreen context. I’ve also framed it as a breaking news story with a lead paragraph and then provided more in-depth context afterward.The date has been updated to reflect the provided publication date.
