Air Canada's flight attendants' union has turned down the government's request to consider the airline's offer of binding arbitration, leaving Canadians and other travellers perilously close to a painful strike/lockout.
The union told Open Jaw the idea was rejected. Shortly thereafter, it issued a press release confirming the decision.
Federal Jobs and People Minister Patty Hajdu this week asked the union to consider Air Canada's binding arbitration offer.
Unless the federal government decides to intervene anyway, it means that time is running short for negotiations to start again, and for a deal to be reached.
"The Air Canada Component of CUPE has respectfully urged Employment Minister Patty Hajdu not to intervene pursuant to section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, thereby permitting collective bargaining to continue and allowing the parties to negotiate a resolution," CUPE said in its press release. "The integrity of the collective bargaining process depends on allowing the parties to reach a resolution through free and fair negotiations, without undue interference.
"Rather than continuing to negotiate in good faith, Air Canada appears to have anticipated government intervention and has opted to suspend meaningful discussions, contrary to its legal obligation to bargain in good faith.
"The appropriate course of action is for Air Canada to return to the table and resume good faith bargaining. Accordingly, Air Canada’s request for ministerial intervention under section 107 should be firmly rejected," the union said.
Open Jaw has reached out to Air Canada for comment.
