Canada's largest airline Air Canada urged the federal government on September 12, 2024, to intervene for "binding arbitration" in order to avoid "a major disruption of air travel", it said in a statement.
"With talks nearing an impasse and time for negotiation running out, the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of Canadians are hanging in the balance," said Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau. "We are taking all measures to mitigate any impact, but the reality is even a short work stoppage at Air Canada could, given the complexity of our business operating on a global scale, cause prolonged disruption for customers."
The parties met for 100 days over the past 15 months, with the airline tentatively agreeing to a 30% wage increase, along with improvements to the pilots' benefit pension and health care plans amongst other benefits.
Air Canada said its wage offer was "unprecedented" but the union had refused after citing wage levels in the US.
The airline clarified it is not seeking immediate intervention, but rather it "believes the Government of Canada should prepare" for if negotiations with the pilot union fail.
Some 5,200 Air Canada pilots represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) had voted in favour of going on strike August 22, 2024. The 60-day conciliation period ended on August 27, 2024, with no agreement being reached.
The strike could begin as early as September 18, 2024, if an agreement is not reached. Flights would be cancelled over the three days, beginning from midnight of the strike. The airline estimated 110,000 passengers could be impacted along with cargo transport.
It said services by Air Canada Express would not be affected.