TERRACE, B.C. – Air Canada flight attendants staged a national day of action at airports across the country today, highlighting their demands for a new and fair contract that addresses unpaid work and low wages.
The flight attendants, who are represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), recently authorized their union to take strike action in a near-unanimous vote. This action comes as negotiations continue for a new contract to replace their previous 10-year agreement, which expired on March 31, 2025.
According to CUPE, flight attendants are seeking to end what they call “rampant abuse of unpaid work” in the industry. They state that flight attendants perform hours of critical safety-related duties every week, along with tasks like boarding and deplaning, all without compensation. The union is also pushing for higher wages for junior flight attendants, who reportedly earn just $1,952 per month before taxes.
“There is very clear path for Air Canada to avoid job action: pay your workers when they’re on the clock, and pay them a wage that allows them to live and work in dignity. That isn’t an unreasonable ask,” said Wesley Lesosky, president of the Air Canada Component of CUPE.
Lesosky added that Air Canada has posted “billions in profits” in recent years, arguing the company can afford to pay its workers fairly without adding new costs for the public.
While the union remains optimistic that a deal can be reached, negotiations with Air Canada are ongoing. The day of action serves as a public show of unity and a clear message to the airline that the flight attendants are prepared to take further action if their demands for a respectful contract are not met.
