DAYS SINCE WE BEGAN THE BARGAINING PROCESS. WE ARE UNITED AND WE WILL MAKE CHANGE.

Bargaining Committee Update – 21 – Fighting for a Fair Contract

We want to begin this update by first thanking you for your unwavering support and messages of solidarity. Knowing that you are behind us is energizing. As we board our flights for bargaining or committee work, we are seeing the wave of Union Pins and Luggage Tags out there, and this is something historic and needed. Our gains are your gains. We are collectively focused on one thing: securing a fair contract for all members. That is the bottom line.

As you may be aware, our request for conciliation was made because of the ongoing lack of meaningful engagement at the table by the employer. Despite our readiness and the critical nature of this round of negotiations, progress had been slow and frustrating.

Conciliation began on May 26, 2025. The four conciliators who were appointed are Yann S. Donnelly, Michelle D. Glubrecht, Robert J. Orr, and Peter Simpson. Over the past two weeks we have met with them to provide insights into our proposals. We have impressed upon them the value that you bring to this company, and were able to back this up with the recent Skytrax awards that YOU secured for Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge. We have demonstrated that what we want is fairness and our rightful entitlements after ten long years. We are determined to achieve a fair contract that respects your work, protects your rights, and meets your needs.

If conciliation does not lead to an agreement, the process will be terminated. This is commonly known as a “No Board Report” and represents the end of the 60-day conciliation process. This would then trigger the 21-day cooling off period.

The parties can continue to meet and negotiate during this period, but on or after the 21days expires the union is legally allowed to call a strike by providing a minimum 72 hours’ notice to strike, and the employer is legally allowed to lock out employees in the bargaining unit with a minimum 72 hours notice. As bargaining discussions evolve it may become necessary to provide appropriate details on a potential labour disruption.

This would put us in a legal strike position as of 12:01 a.m. on August 16, 2025 at the earliest. We want to be very clear. This does not mean we will serve strike notice at that time. Any decision on strike action will be made strategically, and you will be informed every step of the way.

If we reach the point where we feel a strike is necessary, you will know exactly what we are striking for and why. There will be opportunities to ask questions and we will require a strike mandate in the form of a vote from all members. Our strength comes from standing together, informed, and united, in the fight for fairness.

Nearly 6,000 of you took the time to fill out this survey which will help us as we plan the next phase of our campaign to win a groundbreaking contract for Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants.

There is a resounding message from this survey: our members are determined to win better wages and an end to unpaid work. Ninety-two percent of you said you would be willing to go on strike and walk a picket line if we have to, and eighty-five percent said they think the public will support us if we do.

The numbers don’t lie.

Most frequently cited issues (by % of respondents):

  • Unpaid work – 91% of respondents
  • Wages and cost of living – 88%
  • Scheduling and fatigue – 72%
  • Feeling respected by management – 41%
  • Safety and security – 34%
  • Career progression – 23%

Member support for action:

  • Strike – 89% of respondents
  • Work-to-rule – 73% of respondents
  • Social media campaigns – 68% of respondents
  • Public demonstrations – 61% of respondents
  • Talking to media – 37% of respondents
  • I would not participate in any action – 4% of respondents

One thing that is clear to us is that we are all united around this process and want respect. The vast majority of the membership is steadfast in the belief that we all deserve recognition for the invaluable contributions provided to the success of the company.

Thank you for your continued support and solidarity.

In solidarity,

Your Bargaining Committee

LOU 61 – A330/A321XLR Dedicated (Blocked off) Crew Rest Seats – July 2025 Block Month (July 1st – July 31st, 2025)

(This applies to AC Mainline only)

Letter of Understanding 61:  A330 and A321XLR Crew Rest Seats

On A330 and A321XLR non-crew bunk equipped aircraft operating flights which have a scheduled block to block flight time of greater than 7:30 hours but less than 11:30 hours, the Company will dedicate a bank of economy class seats for crew rest purposes. The location of these seats will be determined by the Company.

Cabin Personnel may sleep in the bank of dedicated economy class seats for a maximum of one (1) hour per crew member. The use of these seats to sleep shall not in any way interfere with cabin service.

No more than two (2) Cabin Personnel may sleep at any one time. The Company shall use best efforts to install a curtain for privacy which, if installed, must be used by Cabin Personnel when the seats are in use. Signs or makeshift curtains are not permitted.

Letters of Understanding 27 and 28 shall not apply when dedicated crew rest seats have been provided in accordance with the foregoing.

For the block month of July 2025, the following flights fall under LOU 61 and are scheduled for A330 aircraft. They will have 2 (two) dedicated crew rest seats:

– AC70 YUL-ALG
– AC71 ALG-YUL
– AC73 CMN-YUL
– AC814 YUL-NCE
– AC815 NCE-YUL
– AC816 YYZ-VCE
– AC817 VCE-YYZ
– AC818 YUL-VCE
– AC819 VCE-YUL
– AC824 YYZ-MAD
– AC825 MAD-YYZ
– AC836 YYZ-MUC
– AC837 MUC-YYZ
– AC840 YYZ-FRA
– AC841 FRA-YYZ
– AC842 YYZ-FRA
– AC843 FRA-YYZ
– AC844 YUL-FRA
– AC845 FRA-YUL
– AC855 LHR-YYZ (*July 22 ONLY)
– AC877 LYS-YUL
– AC885 GVA-YUL
– AC886 YYZ-VIE
– AC887 VIE-YYZ
– AC894 YUL-MXP
– AC895 MXP-YUL
– AC902 YYZ-ARN
– AC903 ARN-YYZ
– AC909 MAN-YYZ
– AC934 YYZ-PRG
– AC935 PRG-YYZ

**The service specifications may need to be modified for crew to obtain their full 1-hour contractual break/rest times. In such cases, the SD should submit an eOBR simply stating that the service sequence was modified so that the crew can obtain their contractual break/rest times. Ensure to share this OBR with your local union office. If there is a manager onboard, report this service modification to them.

If you are told anything different in respect to contractual crew rest by an Air Canada manager, please share this information with your local union.

What if these flights operate on B777/787 aircraft?
LOU 61 is specific to the A330/A321XLR aircraft, and not applicable to the B777/787. The B777/787 have crew bunks that may be used for crew rest/break purposes.

For more information on onboard sleep entitlements, please CLICK HERE to see our August 30, 2024, bulletin.

In Solidarity,

Your Component Grievance Committee