Air Canada could be hit with a strike Monday after its biggest union issued a notice Wednesday warning that its members would walk off the job March 12 unless a labour dispute is resolved.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) represents 8,600 Air Canada workers, including baggage handlers and mechanics.
“Under the Canada Labour Code we are required to give the employer a minimum of 72 hours’ notice prior to taking strike action,” said Dave Ritchie, IAMAW Canadian general vice-president.
“We have given Air Canada 144 hours’ notice, and on Monday March 12 we will exercise our legal right to withdraw our labour.”
Ritchie said his members agreed to measures that helped Air Canada restructure and avoid bankruptcy, and they are angry that Air Canada is not willing to give back some of the concessions it made in the current round of collective bargaining.
“We recognize that the IAMAW’s notice of strike action in the midst of the peak March break travel period will cause uncertainty for thousands of our customers,” Air Canada CEO Duncan Dee stated in a message to customers on the company’s website.
“The lines of communication remain open and we are hopeful that there remains sufficient time to avoid a work disruption.”
Ottawa has expressed concern over the possibility of an airline strike during one of the busiest times of the year for air travel, but so far has given no indication it plans to intervene.
“We hope that [labour minister] Lisa Raitt will allow us to negotiate an agreement that is acceptable to our membership,” said Ritchie.
“We have advised Air Canada that we are available at a moment’s notice to resume bargaining.”
