Air Canada strike: Minister ‘very optimistic’ agreement can be reached

The federal labour minister expressed optimism on Tuesday that a strike by Air Canada pilots could still be avoided through negotiations, with the potential strike looming as early as next week.

Speaking to reporters outside the Liberal caucus retreat in Nanaimo, B.C., Steve MacKinnon acknowledged that while “significant issues” remain unresolved, progress has been made in talks between Air Canada and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) union. This comes despite both sides previously suggesting that negotiations had stalled in recent weeks.

“There is absolutely no reason these parties cannot come to a negotiated agreement,” MacKinnon said, adding that both sides should work hard to resolve the situation, which is creating uncertainty for Canadians regarding travel and economic concerns.

Air Canada announced on Monday that it is preparing to suspend operations ahead of a possible strike or lockout, which could begin as early as Sept. 18. If no agreement is reached by Sunday, Sept. 15, either the airline or the union could issue a 72-hour lockout or strike notice. The airline also warned that flight cancellations could start as early as Friday without a deal in place.

ALPA noted on Monday that negotiations have been progressing "slowly, if at all," and revealed plans to open strike headquarters in Toronto on Thursday in preparation for a potential work stoppage.

MacKinnon did not indicate whether he would intervene in the dispute, similar to his recent involvement in a rail shutdown last month, where he requested binding arbitration and return-to-work orders.

“Our commitment is to collective bargaining, and we want to make sure that these parties are very, very focused on getting a deal at the table,” the minister said.

The government had made similar remarks before the lockout notice was issued in the CN Rail and CPKC dispute, only intervening less than 24 hours after the lockout began. That shutdown lasted four days, with the Canada Industrial Relations Board approving the government’s request, though the Teamsters union is appealing the decision.

Air Canada has warned that a work stoppage could disrupt travel for 110,000 passengers per day. While ALPA has not yet set a strike date, the pilots have overwhelmingly voted in favor of a strike mandate if a new contract is not reached.