Negotiations often take unexpected twists and turns, but it seems Air Canada is writing its own playbook for bargaining with pilots. The airline announced today that it is finalizing contingency plans to suspend most of its operations. While the airline said there is still time to reach an agreement, it added that the "parties remain far apart.
" Strike, lockout or agreement The intriguing part of this announcement is that if Air Canada and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) cannot reach an agreement by September 15, 2024, either party may issue a 72-hour strike or lockout notice, which would trigger the airline's three-day wind-down plan. The key word is "may," so while the airline can plan for a lockout it has no idea what the ALPA will do if negotiations fail. To reach an agreement, Air Canada said the ALPA would need to moderate its wage demands, which the airline believes "far exceed average Canadian wage increases.
" The airline said it has an obligation to do everything it can to avoid the chaos abrupt airline shutdowns cause passengers, particularly from an increasingly likely work stoppage. Some pilots could reportedly receive pay bumps as much as $100,000. That obligation includes the decision to begin an orderly shutdown of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge once a 72-hour strike or lockout notice is given, possibly as early as this coming Sunday.
Air Canada President and CEO Michael Rousseau said he understands and apologizes for the inconvenience this would cause .