"Canadian travellers hoping for a new year without having to worry about a labour dispute may be out of luck, as 2026 will see most major airlines from this country facing off with unions across the bargaining table. Industry and labour experts agree that while a strike or lockout is not guaranteed when airlines and the unions representing their employees negotiate, the skies ahead aren't exactly clear, even after settling multiple disputes that rocked the industry in recent months."
"In the most recent example, Air Transat had started cancelling flights the day before negotiations between the company and its pilots led to a tentative agreement, but that deal came just a few hours before a full-blown strike could begin. WATCH | Air Transat reaches deal with pilots, narrowly avoiding a strike: Air Transat and its pilots reached a tentative agreement hours before a strike deadline, which would have put many Canadians' holiday travel plans in jeopardy."
"But negotiations aren't over for these carriers. WestJet will start 2026 in negotiations with flight attendants. Air Canada will see many ground crew and baggage workers bargaining a renewed contract. Porter Airlines is continuing to negotiate first-ever deals with pilots, dispatchers and flight attendants. They all have the potential to shut down the airlines in each of their respective contract negotiations, said John Gradek, faculty lecturer in aviation management at McGill University."
Most major Canadian airlines will face contract negotiations with unions in 2026, creating potential for strikes or lockouts. Air Transat cancelled flights before reaching a tentative agreement with pilots, narrowly avoiding a strike. Air Canada experienced grounded flights when flight attendants struck, and WestJet faced cancellations during a mechanics' strike in 2024. WestJet will negotiate with flight attendants in 2026; Air Canada's ground crew and baggage workers will bargain renewed contracts; Porter Airlines continues first-time negotiations with pilots, dispatchers and flight attendants. Negotiations can potentially shut down carriers, and a strike or lockout is not guaranteed but risk remains elevated.
Read at www.cbc.ca
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]