Air Canada Begins 72-Hour Strike Countdown

Air Canada is on a 72-hour countdown to a potential network shutdown. It follows a collapse in talks with its main flight attendant union, which represents 10,000 employees. Unless there is a late breakthrough or government intervention, operations could come to a halt at 1 a.m. ET on August 16.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) says it received an unprecedented 99.7% strike mandate from its membership. It follows a “Day of Action” on August 11, which saw flight attendants protest outside airports across the country.

The sharp escalation comes after eight months of negotiation. In its latest revised offer, Air Canada offered a 38% total compensation increase over four years – including 25% in the first year – along with improved pensions, benefits, and work-life balance measures. The company says the package wo