CUPE begins arbitration with Air Canada over flight attendant wages

The Air Canada Component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) began wage arbitration with Air Canada on Jan. 19, 2026, with arbitrator Paula Knopf, after flight attendants voted over 99 per cent to reject Air Canada's final wage offer in September 2025, the union said. 

"These hearings will provide our members an opportunity to hear the facts around what transpired in the negotiations spanning December 2024 to August 2025, and also a sense of what to expect from the process going forward," said Component President Wesley Lesosky in a statement.

"It will also give our members an opportunity to hear the extent to which Air Canada values our members and the vital, safety-critical work they do every day."

Air Canada and CUPE reached a tentative four-year deal for flight attendants in August 2025 following a strike that began August 16 and lasted nearly four days, disrupting travel for hundreds of thousands of customers.

Financial analysts estimated Air Canada faced roughly $61 million per day in lost revenue during the strike.

Flight attendants rejected the proposed pay hike earlier in September, with all other elements of the tentative agreement remaining intact and only salaries unresolved.

In September, the airline and union decided to end mediation over wage increases and move the dispute to arbitration. 

According to Air Canada, wage matters usually proceed through mediation before arbitration, but the union requested the issue go directly to arbitration.

"While remaining committed to the entirety of the process, Air Canada, in a spirit of cooperation, has agreed to CUPE's request. This will provide cabin crew with wage increases and their retro pay, dating back to April 2025, as soon as possible," Air Canada said in September.

In August 2025, Air Canada sought and obtained federal government support to prevent flight attendants from striking. 

However, flight attendants defied the federal government's back-to-work order, prompting Air Canada back to the bargaining table, though Air Canada refused to change its previous positions on hourly rates of pay. 

The parties agreed to move the final question of wages to arbitration.

"The fact that we are here is a testament to the courage of our members," said Lesosky. 

"We refused to back down when a multi-billion-dollar company and their enforcers in the federal government tried to put their boots on our necks. We achieved a better deal because of the bravery of our flight attendants, and we are hopeful we will make our case before the arbitrator that our members deserve better than the poverty wages offered by our employer."

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