Feds may order striking Air Canada staff back to work
Posted Jun 14, 2011 03:39:28 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA, Ont. – The federal government is serving formal notice it will table legislation within 48 hours ordering striking Air Canada employees back to work if the two sides don’t reach a deal.
Air travellers are bracing for longer lines and more time on the phone now that Air Canada’s customer service agents and other airport workers are on strike.
About 3,800 employees walked off the job at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday after their union and the airline failed to reach an agreement on the key issues of pensions and wages.
The workers served a 72-hour strike notice on Friday.
The two sides were in talks until late in the evening, Monday, after both said they wanted to avert a strike, but had made little progress.
Canadian Auto Workers president Ken Lewenza said he is frustrated because the talks seemed to progress positively in the hours before the strike deadline.
Air Canada chief operating officer Duncan Dee said the airline is “very disappointed” that a deal has not been reached, adding the airline is ready to resume discussions at any time.
The airline has downplayed the potential impact of a strike and said it will continue to operate a full schedule.
Video message to customers: Air Canada CEO Duncan Dee (AirCanada’s YouTube channel)
Dee said the airline has a contingency plan in place involving more than 1,700 managers to help out at airports and call centres.
However, the airline urges passengers to check its website because a high volume of calls could mean a long wait to get through to its call centres.
Passengers are being advised to check-in online within 24 hours of flight departure, to arrive at the airport extra early and to try put everything in carry-ons to avoid checking luggage. More tips
Air Canada was forced into creditor protection from April 2003 to September 2004 partly because of its pension deficit.
