Air Canada flight attendants emphatically reject wage offer presented to them. What happens now?

Flight Attendants Overwhelmingly Reject Tentative Wage Deal

In a decisive move, Air Canada flight attendants have overwhelmingly turned down the tentative wage agreement reached in August to end a brief strike. Approximately 99.1 percent of around 10,000 cabin crew voted against the proposal.

What the Agreement Covered

The proposal included a 12 percent pay increase for less senior attendants and 8 percent for more experienced members.
It aimed to compensate some pre-flight duties (commonly referred to as ground pay) by offering modest compensation for previously unpaid work.
Despite these gestures, flight attendants cited ongoing financial strain and the rising cost of living as their core concerns—arguing the offer failed to keep up with economic realities.

Strike Fallout and Agreement Mechanism

The strike in August had disrupted travel significantly, affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers—roughly 130,000 per day—before the tentative deal was reached on August 19.
Both Air Canada and the union had prearranged that no new labor disruption (neither strike nor lockout) would take place, even if the agreement was rejected. As agreed, the wage issue will now be referred to mediation and, if unresolved, to arbitration.

What’s Next for Air Canada and CUPE Flight Attendants?

1. Formal Mediation Begins

The next step is a structured mediation process designed to encourage both parties to reach a more balanced wage solution without operational disruption.
2. Arbitration Could Be Triggered

If mediation fails to resolve the wage dispute, the resolution will shift to arbitration. That process generally involves a third-party arbitrator whose decision could be binding.
3. Continued Flight Operations – No Strikes Ahead

Thanks to the prior agreement, there will be no additional labor disruptions while the wage issue remains unresolved. Flights are expected to continue operating normally.
4. External Watchers and Public Momentum

The stand taken by Air Canada flight attendants—particularly around securing pay for previously uncompensated labor—has gained public attention and potentially inspired broader industry reform.
5. Significance for Broader Industry Trends

The dispute highlights growing calls within the aviation sector for fair compensation that includes ground-based responsibilities. The outcome could influence similar negotiations across North America.

6. Public and Regulatory Oversight

Given the previous involvement of the Canada Industrial Relations Board and broader public scrutiny, both parties may face external pressure to resolve this quickly and fairly.

Summary Table

Final Thoughts

With an emphatic “no” vote, Air Canada’s flight attendants have signaled that the previous tentative deal falls short. However, operational continuity remains intact thanks to prior safeguards. Now, structured mediation—and potentially arbitration—will determine the next steps. The outcome could not only reshape this dispute but could reshape how compensation policies evolve across the airline industry.