The union representing Air Canada’s 6,800 flight attendants is willing to continue negotiations with the airline towards a fair collective agreement. Air Canada Component members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees rejected a tentative agreement this past weekend, and they will be in a strike position on Thursday, October 13, 2011.
“We are ready to respond quickly to the employer. While no formal talks have taken place yet, we are ready to return to the table and find a way to keep our members and the public flying with a fair collective agreement,” says Jeff Taylor, president of the Air Canada Component of CUPE.
CUPE is calling on Air Canada to return to the bargaining table and acknowledge the frustration of its flight attendants after a decade of concessions.
“Our members are clearly frustrated, and are demanding their sacrifices over the past ten years be addressed,” says Taylor. “Air Canada must be prepared to move on our key issues.”
CUPE is reiterating its calls on the federal government not to intervene, and to respect the collective bargaining rights of flight attendants.
The union will not be making any further comments to media at this time.