Air Canada is asking the federal government to be ready to intervene in its labour talks with its pilots as the time remaining before a potential shutdown runs short.
Airline spokesperson Christophe Hennebelle said Air Canada is committed to negotiations but faces “unreasonable wage demands” from the pilots union that it can’t meet.
Starting Sunday, the two sides will be in a position to issue a 72-hour notice of a strike or lockout. The airline has said the notice would trigger its three-day wind down plan and start the clock on a full work stoppage as early as Sept. 18.
Hennebelle said Ottawa should be ready to intervene to avoid disruptions.
The union has said it’s corporate greed that is holding up talks, as Air Canada continues to post record profits while expecting pilots to accept below-market compensation.
Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said Wednesday that there’s no reason a deal can’t be reached and said both sides should “knuckle down” to make it happen.
Numerous business groups convened in Ottawa Thursday calling for action — including binding arbitration — to avoid the economic disruptions a shutdown of the airline would cause.
Arbitration “can help bring the parties to a successful resolution and avoid all the potential impacts we’re here to talk about today,” said Candace Laing, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, during the press conference.
“Canada cannot afford another major disruption to its transportation network. A labour disruption at Air Canada would ripple through our economy,” said Goldy Hyder, chief executive of the Business Council of Canada, in a media statement.
Air Canada could begin suspending flights as early as Sunday, as contract dispute talks continue between the airline and its pilots. Both sides remain at the bargaining table but are putting contingency plans in place in the event of a strike. CBC’s Chris Glover visited the union’s strike headquarters.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Thursday morning the party would not support efforts to force pilots back to work.
“We’re going to send a clear message again that we are opposed to Justin Trudeau and the Liberals, or any government, interfering with workers,” said Singh.
“If there’s any bills being proposed on back to work legislation, we’re going to oppose that.”
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Wednesday that Air Canada should negotiate in good faith with its pilots.
“We’re not going to support pre-empting those negotiations. We stand with the pilots and their right to fight for a fair deal, good wages.”
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