Air Canada flight attendants’ union declines arbitration proposal from airline
Posted August 12, 2025 4:00 am.
Last Updated August 12, 2025 2:33 pm.
The union representing around 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants says it has declined a proposal from the airline to enter a binding arbitration process.
The Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees shared a letter online in which the company proposed going the arbitration route to secure a new contract, which would suspend the union’s right to strike in the meantime.
The letter, dated Monday, says arbitration would “let the flight attendants, CUPE, Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge move forward without further delay and uncertainty, both of which weigh on us all.”
But CUPE calls it a “proposal to preserve an exploitative system and strip away (members’) voice.”
The union says it is urging Air Canada to instead continue negotiating and that it remains “committed to using all available tools within the bargaining process to reach a negotiated settlement that meets the needs of our members.”
CUPE could give notice to strike by tonight at 12:01 a.m. ET if it intends to go on strike on Saturday.
