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Air Canada Flight Attendants vote on wage agreement

The results of the vote by Air Canada flight crews on a wage deal are expected to be announced on Saturday. More than half a dozen members have said they do not expect that the tentative agreement will get approved.

Negotiators claimed they reached a tentative agreement on August 19, ending a crippling, four-day strike after more than 10,000 flight crews refused to return to work despite government attempts to do so. This forced the largest airline in the country back to the bargaining tables.

The attendants could not continue their legal strike if they reject the wage section of the tentative agreement. This is the only part that was up for a vote. Instead, the matter would be referred to arbitration. This would prolong talks over a dispute which caused Air Canada's financial guidance to be withdrawn for 2025.

The union said that the result of the voting will not be revealed until Saturday after 3 pm (1900 GMT).

The strike brought to light the demands of North American flight attendants who want to be paid from when they check-in to when they clock-out. Flight attendants from Air Canada, as well as other U.S. airlines such United Airlines, have been fighting a compensation system that pays the cabin crew primarily when an aircraft moves.

Sara Nelson, International president of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), said that the public's support for the Air Canada strikes also benefits her U.S.-based members. The AFA represents United flight attendants who rejected a tentative deal recently, partly because of demands for ground wages.

Nelson stated that "the inspirational fight by the Air Canada flight attendants creates momentum and is beneficial."

DISAPPOINTMENT WITH DEAL

Air Canada's proposed contract for flight attendants included some gains that were important to the flight attendants, but many felt the deal was not fair on the issue unpaid labor. Some said they would vote it down.

The proposed four-year agreement would result in a wage increase of approximately 20% for cabin crew at entry level and 16% for those with more experience.

The crew would receive 60 minutes pre-flight on narrowbody aircraft and 70 minutes for widebody jets. Pay will start at 50% in the first year, increasing to 70% in the fourth year.

Many flight attendants are working two or more jobs in order to cover the cost of living. This is especially true for those who live in expensive cities like Toronto.

Mark Hancock, President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, said that the deal was reached between Air Canada, the union and a mediator in a Toronto airport-hotel under threat of criminal charges.

Hancock said, "My understanding is that the next day if no agreement was reached, they would have sought criminal contempt and then fines and charges." It would have escalated to the next stage." Reporting by Allison Lampert, Montreal; and Rajesh K. Singh, Chicago; Editing done by Edmund Klamann

(source: Reuters)