Air Canada and business leaders are urging Ottawa to be prepared to step in during labour talks with its pilots as the deadline approaches for a potential shutdown, but the government has emphasized the need for the two sides to find a resolution on their own.
Christophe Hennebelle, a spokesperson for the airline, stated on Thursday that Air Canada is dedicated to negotiations but is facing wage demands from the Air Line Pilots Association that are unfeasible for the company to meet.
“The issue at hand is that we are being presented with unreasonable wage demands that ALPA is unwilling to adjust,” Hennebelle explained.
The union has attributed the delay in talks to corporate greed on the part of Air Canada, pointing out that the airline is making record profits while expecting pilots to accept below-market compensation.
Hennebelle clarified that the airline is not currently seeking immediate government intervention but believes that Ottawa should be prepared to prevent major disruptions should the airline, which serves over 110,000 passengers daily, face a shutdown.
“The government should stand ready to intervene and ensure that we avoid any disruptions for the benefit of Canadians,” he added.
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Starting Sunday, both parties will be able to issue a 72-hour notice of a strike or lockout. Air Canada has indicated that such notice would initiate a three-day wind-down plan and could lead to a full work stoppage as early as Sept. 18.
Several business groups gathered in Ottawa on Thursday to advocate for action, including binding arbitration, to prevent the economic disruptions that would result from an airline shutdown.
“Arbitration can facilitate a successful resolution between the parties and prevent the potential impacts we are discussing today,” stated Candace Laing, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, during a press conference.
“Canada cannot afford another significant disruption to its transportation network. A labour disruption at Air Canada would have far-reaching effects on our economy,” added Goldy Hyder, CEO of the Business Council of Canada.
Despite these calls for action, the federal government has maintained that it is the responsibility of the airline and the union to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
“There is no reason why these parties cannot come to a collective agreement,” stated Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon during a news conference following the Liberal caucus retreat.
He expressed optimism about the progress of the talks and emphasized that Canadians expect both the union and the airline to make necessary concessions.
“Both parties should be clear about my message to them today. It’s time to buckle down and reach a deal,” MacKinnon emphasized.
When questioned about why Air Canada wouldn’t wait for government intervention as it did during previous railway shutdowns, MacKinnon cited significant differences between the two situations.
On Thursday, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh reiterated the party’s opposition to forcing pilots back to work through legislation.
“We are adamantly against any government, including Justin Trudeau and the Liberals, interfering with workers,” Singh stated. “If there are proposals for back-to-work legislation, we will oppose them.”
Meanwhile, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre emphasized the importance of Air Canada negotiating in good faith with its pilots.
“We stand in solidarity with the pilots and their right to negotiate a fair deal with good wages. We do not support preempting these negotiations,” Poilievre said.
Please rewrite the sentence for me.
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