The union representing Air Canada's flight attendants says the relationship between them and the airline has "deteriorated" in the past year.
In an open letter to Anko van der Werff, Air Canada's new CEO, the Air Canada Component of CUPE say they look to “leadership transition” as an opportunity for renewal and “the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between Air Canada/Air Canada Rouge and the Flight Attendants, Service Directors and Leads who are the face of this airline every day.”
The letter goes on to say the relationship has suffered as a result of the airline making several decisions without "meaningful consultation" of its members.
"As a result, we have been forced to rely on an increasing number of policy grievances simply to preserve negotiated rights and established processes," the union wrote.
Some of the issues they cite include unresolved and ongoing discussions about unpaid work performed by flight attendants, which led union members to strike in 2025.
"Flight Attendants are safety professionals whose responsibilities begin well before the aircraft door closes, yet much of this work continues to go uncompensated."
The strike, which ran from 16AUG25 to 19AUG25, ended only after federal jobs minister Patty Hajdu imposed binding arbitration. While members voted to ratify the agreement between the union and Air Canada, 99% of them rejected the wage offer portion.
"The events surrounding the 2025 round of collective bargaining also continue to weigh heavily on our membership," the union wrote to van der Werff.
"Many Flight Attendants were left feeling disappointed that important workplace issues—including fair compensation for all hours worked—remain unresolved."
The same issue is pushing WestJet closer to a strike, as flight attendants there voted to give their union a strike mandate 15JUL, which could result them walking off the job starting 02AUG.
Union leaders also brought up the lack of supported French-language training for its flight attendants, noting shortages in staff who can speak French lead to inflexible schedules and places an additional burden on those who are bilingual.
Still, ACC leadership said they remain optimistic with new leadership being brought in.
"We believe there is an opportunity to reset the relationship between Air Canada and the Union," they wrote.
