Summary
Air Canada flight attendants are voting on a new contract after a strike was declared illegal and they were ordered back to work. The tentative deal includes wage increases, but many workers are unhappy with the negotiation process. Voting on the agreement ends soon, and results will follow.
Key Facts
- Air Canada flight attendants went on a three-day strike starting August 16.
- The Canadian government declared the strike illegal and required workers to return to their jobs.
- A tentative agreement was reached on August 19 and is now up for a union vote.
- The agreement proposes a 12% wage increase for new hires and 8% for senior workers in the first year.
- The strike reportedly cost Air Canada about 300 million Canadian dollars.
- This was the first time a union defied Canada's "industrial peace" clause.
- Some flight attendants believe the deal was made under pressure due to threats of jail time and fines.
- If the agreement is rejected, only the wage terms will go to arbitration, meaning an independent decision-maker will settle them.
