Time is ticking for Air Canada and its pilots to reach a settlement in their labour dispute ahead of an impending shutdown that could disrupt air travel for thousands of passengers.
Some disruption has already begun as the midnight deadline for the national carrier and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents 5,200 Air Canada pilots, rapidly approaches.
The two sides remain far apart in negotiations and if a deal is not reached by 12:01 a.m. ET on Sunday, Air Canada or ALPA could issue a 72-hour strike or lockout notice.
Air Canada told Global News on Saturday that it remains “committed to the union to reach a new collective agreement.”
However, in preparation for a closure, the airline has begun restricting its services.
“We have begun taking some measures, including limiting certain types of cargo shipments, such as perishable goods, and adjusting the flight schedules of some aircraft so that they are appropriately positioned in the event of a reduction in flights,” Air Canada said in an emailed statement.
“While we continue to prepare for a possible suspension of operations, we have not yet cancelled any flights.”
The airline said that once the reduction begins, it will not be able to avoid disruptions “for several days, even if an agreement is reached quickly.”
Air Canada has urged the federal government to be prepared to intervene if talks with the pilots’ union fail.
“Talks are reaching an impasse and time is running out for negotiations, putting the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of Canadians at stake,” said Michael Rousseau, president and CEO of Air Canada. in a statement on Thursday.
“We are taking all measures to mitigate any impact, but the reality is that even a brief work stoppage at Air Canada could, given the complexity of our business operating on a global scale, cause prolonged disruption for customers.”
Get breaking national news
To receive breaking news stories affecting Canada and the world, sign up to receive breaking news alerts sent directly to you when they happen.
Meanwhile, the union does not want the government to intervene in the collective bargaining process, saying doing so “violates the constitutional rights and freedoms of Canadians.”
“On behalf of all ALPA Canada members, I insist that the federal government allow collective bargaining to take its course, free from intervention, and allow all parties to a labour dispute to remain at the bargaining table to do the hard work necessary to reach a freely negotiated agreement,” said Tim Perry, President of ALPA Canada. in a statement on Friday.
The looming work stoppage could affect 110,000 or more travelers a day and also delay cargo shipments, the airline says.
Duncan Dee, former chief operating officer of Air Canada, told Global News on Saturday that the impacts of a shutdown will be felt across the country and, in fact, “disruptions have already begun,” he said, referring to perishable cargo shipments.
He said perishable cargo on Air Canada planes typically includes seafood from Atlantic Canada headed to Europe or the United States.
“If you look at the impact here, it’s not just about travellers, it’s about Canadian businesses as well.”
Air Canada had said on Monday that some operations would have to begin to be scaled back as early as Friday, including the cancellation of some vacation packages and the grounding of some aircraft.
Speaking to reporters in Montreal on Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the responsibility for reaching a deal lies with Air Canada and the pilots’ union, not the federal government.
“Every time there is a strike, people say, ‘They’re going to have the government come in and fix it.’ We’re not going to do that,” Trudeau said.
“I’m not going to take sides on either side of the scale. It’s up to Air Canada and the pilots’ union to work to find a way to make sure that we don’t hurt the millions of Canadians who rely on air travel, or the thousands and thousands of businesses across the country that will be hurt if they don’t get the job done at the bargaining table,” he said.
Dee said he is optimistic that a resolution can be reached.
“The fact that both sides are still at the table talking to each other and negotiating these issues gives me some optimism that there is a chance that this attack can be avoided,” he said.
Air Canada has said it will have to begin gradually winding down its operations once it receives 72 hours’ notice as it will take time to properly position its 252 aircraft and crews flying to 47 countries.
He says that if operations are suspended, it will take up to 10 days to resume normal operations.
The airline is offering travellers planning to fly between Sunday and 23 September the opportunity to change their flight free of charge.
— with files from Uday Rana of Global News and The Canadian Press.
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
