Air Canada Faces Pressure: Key Flight Attendant Talks Impact 10,400 Staff

Air Canada and CUPE Engage in Ongoing Flight Attendant Contract Talks

Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge are currently negotiating a contract with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents approximately 10,400 flight attendants. The union issued a notice to begin bargaining in December 2024, before the expiration of the current collective agreement. It is important to note that these negotiations do not involve flight attendants working for Jazz and PAL, who operate Air Canada Express services.

Compensation Framework

The existing compensation model, endorsed by CUPE’s eight-member bargaining committee and ratified in the last agreement, has been in use for several contract cycles. Air Canada states its compensation practices, including pay for ground time, are in line with international norms. The matter of ground time pay is currently part of broader discussions around total compensation.

Key Compensation Details:

• Compensation includes base pay, incentive awards, a defined benefit pension, health benefits, bankable sick days, paid vacation, and discounted leisure travel.

• Pay examples:

  • Rouge flight attendant with 5 years’ service: $41.39/hour

  • Mainline flight attendant with 10 years: $63.07/hour

  • Service director: up to $87.01/hour; average annual pay (2024): $80,000 (excluding incentives and benefits)

• Half of mainline attendants earned over $54,000 in 2024, with potential to earn $70,000+ at top scale.

• Most Rouge flight attendants were hired within the last 5 years, with many eligible for mainline transfer after gaining experience.

Work Hours and Time Off:

• Mainline cabin crew are scheduled for 71–85 credit hours per month, depending on season, with a guaranteed minimum of 12 days off monthly.

• Rouge flight attendants fly up to 95 hours per month and are guaranteed at least 10 days off.

• Over the past year, actual time off averaged 16 days/month (mainline) and 14 days/month (Rouge).

• Vacation entitlements range from 2 weeks for new hires to 35 days, plus 10 days instead of statutory holidays.

Flight attendants typically worked between 10 and 14 days per month, factoring in statutory holidays, vacation, and sick leave. Negotiations are ongoing, and updates will be provided as the process continues.