Air Canada pilots prepare for September strike amid labour dispute

Potential turbulence is in the air as Air Canada’s pilots prepare for a possible strike next month.

According to a CBC story published Wednesday (Aug. 14), Air Canada and its pilots remain "far apart" on compensation and other issues, said the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the pilots’ union.  

Air Canada and the ALPA have worked with a private mediator during the first half of this year and are now in conciliation, which will end on August 26, at which time a 21-day cooling-off period will begin.

The pilots will now vote on whether to give their union a strike mandate. As previously reported, the earliest possible job action would be Sept. 17.

“We want to reach an agreement with Air Canada to avert a strike. However, management continues to force us closer to a strike position by not listening to our needs at the negotiating table regarding fair compensation, respectable retirement benefits, and quality-of-life improvements,” said F/O Charlene Hudy, chair of the Air Canada ALPA Master Executive Council, in a statement earlier this month.

“Air Canada pilots continue to fall behind our industry peers in total compensation who make significantly more for flying the same aircraft on the same routes. This disparity is unacceptable and needs to be addressed. Failing to improve our pilots’ wages and working conditions will negatively impact management’s ability to attract and retain pilots, which will negatively impact Air Canada’s future growth plans.”

Frustrated pilots

As reported by CBC, Hudy said pilots are “frustrated,” noting a “large gap” between Air Canada and its American counterparts

"Right now, some of my American counterparts are making twice as much as I do and the pilots that I represent,” Hudy was quoted as saying.

Air Canada pilots have been in contract negotiations with their employer since June 2023.

As of late, the ALPA has reportedly been handing out lanyards, stickers and pins showing the phrase "Strike Ready" to its more than 5,500 members

Air Canada, meanwhile, says they're seeing progress in the talks.

"Already, we have reached agreement on several items," said an airline spokesperson, according to CBC.  "We are working actively to reach agreement on the remaining issues with an aim to finalize a deal over the next several weeks."

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