Striking Pascan fight attendants picket at Montréal Metropolitan Airport on opening day
Posted June 15, 2026 8:27 am.
Last Updated June 15, 2026 4:30 pm.
Flight attendants of Pascan Aviation picketed at the Montréal Metropolitan Airport on its opening day Monday accusing the airline of refusing to negotiate with the union.
“I think it’s a real lack of respect that they have for us and for their staff in general that they go ahead and try to have a big day knowing full well that the key people that they need to run their flights are standing on the street corner trying to negotiate decent working conditions,” said Lorraine Speidel, an in-charge flight attendant at Pascan Aviation for two years.
The strike comes as first passengers took off from the newly revamped airport in Saint-Hubert, providing residents of Greater Montreal another air travel option.
Pascan Aviation is one of two commercial airlines along with Porter Airlines to operate at the airport.
Flight attendants belonging to CUPE 5490, have been on strike for over seven months, since October 2025 as they seek a new collective agreement that addresses wages and working conditions.
“Our members are fighting for a second collective agreement that fully recognizes the value of their work and their contribution, particularly through decent working conditions,” said Patrick Gloutney, president of CUPE-Quebec, in a statement.
The union says the airline has refused to come to the negotiating table for over two months.
“They are facing an intransigent employer who does not hesitate to use replacement workers, further complicating the search for a fair settlement,” Gloutney added.
Apart from Pascan Aviation flight attendants, several union leaders also participated in the picketing, including Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ) president Magali Picard and FTQ general secretary Olivier Carrière.
“These union leaders are here because unionism is a struggle for social justice. The company is using replacement workers in this case, which is outrageous,” said Fanny Demontigny, general secretary of CUPE-Québec.
Union members urged Pascan Aviation to return to the bargaining table.
But according to Pascan Aviation, “the ball is in their court now.” Yani Gagnon, co-owner of Pascan Aviation, says “we’ve had over twenty meetings, twenty negotiation sessions, we’ve presented numerous offers.”
Union member say they hope the public attention surrounding the airport’s launch will help bring both sides back to negotiations and move the lengthy dispute towards a resolution.
