Marty Firestone, CEO of Travel Secure Inc., shares what Air Canada passengers need to know ahead of a possible flight attendant strike.
Travelers are facing potential disruption to their travel plans as Air Canada flight attendants are expected to strike on Saturday.

Air Canada has announced that it will gradually cancel flights starting Thursday, with a possible shutdown by the end of the week. The union representing more than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants issued a 72-hour notice of strike action on Wednesday, and the airline responded by declaring a “lockout.”

“We regret the impact this disruption has had on our customers, shareholders and the communities we serve,” Air Canada CEO Michael Russo said in a statement.

With negotiations at a standstill, here are the most important things travelers need to know:

What happened to the talks?

Air Canada has said it is still a long way from reaching an agreement with the union. The main areas of disagreement are the non-payment of wages to flight attendants when the plane is not in motion, such as when passengers are boarding and disembarking or during medical emergencies on the ground.

The Air Canada Component, an affiliate of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), says the flight attendants’ 10-year contract expired on March 31.

The union’s president, Wesley Lesowski, said Air Canada’s proposed 8 per cent pay increase in the first year would not lift members out of poverty, especially since they are still not being paid for some jobs.

Lesowski added that since 2015, flight attendants have lost 9 per cent of their purchasing power due to inflation, and that the offer is “less than the rate of inflation, less than the market rate and even less than the minimum wage.”

Air Canada said in response to media inquiries Wednesday that it submitted its revised, comprehensive offer on Aug. 11, which includes a total salary increase of 38 percent over four years, with no cuts to employees, and includes contract improvements such as ground pay, better retirement benefits and insurance.

The company has also offered to resolve disputes through mandatory third-party arbitration to avoid travel disruption, but the union has rejected that approach, insisting that members should vote on the agreement themselves.

Which flights are affected?
Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights will be affected. However, Jazz and Pal Airlines flights, which operate under the Air Canada Express brand, will continue as scheduled.

Air Canada is asking passengers who do not have a confirmed ticket not to go to the airport.

What happens if a flight is canceled?
Air Canada said that if a flight is canceled, passengers will be notified and are eligible for a full refund. Arrangements have also been made with other domestic and international airlines for alternative flights.

The strike is expected to start at 12:58 a.m. ET on Saturday.

What are passengers’ rights in this situation?
Gabor Lukasz, president of the non-governmental group Air Passenger Rights Canada, advises passengers not to change their travel plans and wait for the airline to cancel their flight. He said Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) only apply when a flight is canceled by the airline.

He added that if a passenger changes their plans before the flight is officially canceled, they will not be refunded.

Lukasz explained that if the cancellation is within the airline’s control, Air Canada must pay for meals, accommodation, and cash compensation of up to $1,000 (depending on the length of the delay).

However, in the event of a strike, which is considered to be beyond the airline’s control, this cash compensation is not payable under the APPR, although international passengers may be able to claim compensation under the Montreal Convention.

Similar provisions also apply if the flight is delayed by at least three hours.

In the event of a staff strike, the airline is required to offer an alternative flight or a refund. If a flight is cancelled, Air Canada must seat the passenger free of charge on its first available flight or in a higher class (if a lower class seat is not available). If this is not possible within 48 hours, the airline must book the passenger on a competitor or partner airline.

Source