THUNDER BAY — Air Canada flight attendants have reached a tentative deal with the airline, ending a strike that disrupted travel across the country.
“It’s always a better conclusion when parties can work this out together with the assistance of a mediator.” MP Patty Hajdu said. “It results in better labour relations and of course less labour disruption.”
The strike began on Saturday, Aug. 17, and was called off within 12 hours when Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu, also a Thunder Bay MP, invoked Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code. Flight attendants continued walking out until a tentative agreement was reached late Monday night.
“A huge kudos to everyone who stuck it out last night to get the deal, and I think Canadians are very relieved this morning. There is now some light at the end of the tunnel,” she said.
The airline said it will gradually begin operations Tuesday.
“The deal still needs to be ratified by the member, so the union leadership will take it to the members for a vote." Hajdu said. "I think what Canadians are relieved to hear today is that flights will resume and there is a pathway back to return flights and some normalcy for travellers, both Canadians stuck abroad, but also the many domestic travellers that have been impacted.”
Hajdu addressed protests outside her Thunder Bay office on Aug. 18, saying, “It’s understandable that people are upset. It’s a healthy way to express concerns, and my role as labour minister is to support peaceful industrial relations.”
Hajdu also announced a federal probe into unpaid work in the airline industry. “Flight attendants felt strongly that they are performing work that is not compensated. Yesterday, I announced the launch of a probe to understand how this happens and whether employers are exploiting loopholes. It is unacceptable.”
“We think we can complete that study within six to eight weeks. Workers in Canada expect to get paid for work that they do, and it is actually unlawful not to pay them.”
