Toronto — The union representing Air Canada’s flight attendants has formally requested the cancellation of the ongoing mediation process, moving the long-standing wage dispute directly to arbitration.
Union leaders said the decision was made after repeated rounds of mediation failed to produce meaningful progress. They argued that Air Canada has not offered fair proposals to address issues around pay, scheduling, and working conditions, leaving arbitration as the only viable path forward.
“After months of negotiations, it is clear the mediation process has reached a dead end. Our members deserve fair compensation, and arbitration will ensure that their voices are heard,” the union stated.
For Air Canada, the shift to arbitration could prolong the dispute but also provide a structured resolution process overseen by a neutral arbitrator. Company officials have expressed concern about the financial challenges facing the airline, pointing to rising costs and a volatile travel market as limiting factors in negotiations.
The dispute comes at a sensitive time for Canada’s largest airline, which is already under public scrutiny following delays and cancellations linked to labour unrest in recent months. The union has warned that without a fair outcome, morale among flight attendants could deteriorate further, impacting service quality.
Arbitration is now expected to set the course for the resolution of one of Air Canada’s most contentious labour battles in recent years. Observers say the outcome will likely have lasting implications for both employees and the future of labour relations in the aviation sector.