Air Canada could start cancelling flights imminently ahead of strike deadline
Air Canada could start winding up operations and cancelling flights imminently ahead of Sunday’s strike deadline.
If the union representing its pilots fail to come to a negotiated settlement to avoid a strike or shutdown, the federal government must be prepared to bring in binding arbitration or force pilots back to work, a group representing small businesses said on Friday morning.
This comes as the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the union representing Air Canada pilots in the labour dispute, says it will be meeting with Air Canada on Friday to try to work out a deal.
“We continue to meet with Air Canada today in an effort to reach a new contract at the negotiating table, and avoid legal job action and the effects of that on our passengers,” First Officer Charlene Hudy, chair of the Air Canada ALPA master executive council, told Global News in a statement.
Unless a settlement is reached by Sunday, either Air Canada or the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents 5,200 Air Canada pilots, could issue a 72-hour lockout or strike notice.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business, urged all parties to ensure that flight services remain in place and a deal is reached at the table.
Dan Kelly, CFIB president, said in a statement, “If Air Canada and the Air Line Pilots Association can’t reach an agreement, the federal government must be prepared to step in and impose binding arbitration or back-to-work legislation. It’s the government’s responsibility to make sure small businesses and our economy don’t suffer another costly disruption to Canada’s transportation network.”
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Business Council of Canada also issued a joint statement.
“Every
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