Air Canada strike: As intervention calls grow, ‘we’re not going to do that,’ Trudeau says
“Every time there’s a strike, people say, ‘Oh, you’ll get the government to come in and fix it.’ We’re not going to do that,” Trudeau said, speaking to reporters in Montreal on Friday.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has emphasized that it is up to Air Canada and the pilots' union to reach a resolution to prevent a strike or lockout, rather than the federal government intervening.
Trudeau, addressing reporters in Montreal on Friday, stated, “Every time there’s a strike, people say, ‘Oh, you’ll get the government to come in and fix it.’ We’re not going to do that.” He added, “I’m not going to put my thumb on the scale on either side. It is up to Air Canada and the pilots union to do the work to figure out how to make sure that they are not hurting millions of Canadians who rely on air travel, thousands and thousands of businesses across this country who will be hurt if they can’t get the work done at the bargaining table.”
He noted that the federal government is applying “pressure” on both Air Canada and the pilots' union to reach an agreement. “Minister of Labour Steve MacKinnon met with both parties yesterday. He’s continuing to put pressure on them by highlighting that millions of Canadians and that thousands upon thousands of businesses rely on Air Canada every single day for their success,” Trudeau said. “We’re going to continue to put all the pressure we can on the parties to resolve things where they need to – at the bargaining table – as quickly as possible.”
With the strike deadline set for Sunday, Air Canada might begin scaling down operations and canceling flights imminently. If the pilots' union fails to reach a settlement to avert a strike or shutdown, a group representing small businesses has urged the federal government to consider imposing binding arbitration or enforcing a return-to-work order.
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), representing Air Canada pilots, has scheduled a meeting with Air Canada on Friday to negotiate a new deal. “We continue to meet with Air Canada today in an effort to reach a new contract at the negotiating table, and avoid legal job action and the effects of that on our passengers,” said First Officer Charlene Hudy, chair of the Air Canada ALPA master executive council.
If no agreement is reached by Sunday, either Air Canada or ALPA, which represents 5,200 pilots, could issue a 72-hour notice of a strike or lockout. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has called for all parties to ensure that flight services remain operational and that a deal is reached at the table. CFIB President Dan Kelly said, “If Air Canada and the Air Line Pilots Association can’t reach an agreement, the federal government must be prepared to step in and impose binding arbitration or back-to-work legislation. It’s the government’s responsibility to make sure small businesses and our economy don’t suffer another costly disruption to Canada’s transportation network.”
A joint statement from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Business Council of Canada urged the Government of Canada to act swiftly to prevent labor disruptions that could negatively impact cross-border travel and trade.
Air Canada President and CEO Michael Rousseau acknowledged that while there is still time for a resolution, recent airline disruptions have shown the need to protect customers from a possible work stoppage. He noted that 80 percent of Air Canada’s passengers could be affected by a strike. The airline plans an “orderly shutdown” of operations if a strike or lockout notice is issued.
Former Air Canada Chief Operating Officer Duncan Dee explained that the airline would start winding down operations by positioning aircraft closer to their bases for easier management during a disruption. Air Canada Express flights will continue through third-party carriers Jazz and PAL Airlines, though these regional partners handle only about 20 percent of Air Canada’s daily passengers.
ALPA has established a “strike headquarters” near Toronto Pearson International Airport to support its members if a strike occurs. The pilots have previously voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike if a new contract is not reached.
First Officer Charlene Hudy criticized Air Canada for not making serious proposals and instead threatening to disrupt air travel. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh stated his party would “never support” back-to-work legislation, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called for a “fair deal” and urged Air Canada to negotiate in “good faith” with the union.
