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That’s the sound of thousands of people breathing a sigh of relief.
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Man, that sure was close.
Many nervous Canadians planning to fly on Air Canada, a strike seemed to be a foregone solution. They were expected strike notice to kick in at 12:01 a.m. Sunday which would have triggered a 72-hour countdown.
While many did not expecting the pilots’ union and Air Canada management to reach a tentative agreement, they were glad to hear about the deal.
Air Canada went to X to announce: “We have reached a tentative, four-year collective agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), representing more than 5,200 pilots at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge.”
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A news release by the company added “the new agreement recognizes the contributions and professionalism of Air Canada’s pilot group, while providing a framework for the future growth of the airline. Terms of the new agreement will remain confidential pending a ratification vote by the membership, expected to be completed over the next month, and approval by the Air Canada Board of Directors.”
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While media was ready to report the bad news that a strike would cause, it’s also important to report the good news that a strike has been averted.
So many would have been affected, and so many already were.
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“Customers who used the airline’s labour disruption goodwill policy to change their flights originally scheduled from between Sept.15 and 23, 2024, to another date before Nov. 30, 2024, can change their booking back to their original flight in the same cabin at no cost, providing there is space available.”
People at Pearson International Sunday morning were pleased this was finally settled. Saturday night, the airport was busy with people trying to catch earlier flights.
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Even pilots were wondering and waiting for word. That word came in an X post that was posted at 1 a.m.
“The Air Canada MEC has approved the new tentative agreement. Check your ALPA email for more details”
The deal will be voted on later.
It’s an interesting development, since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had been urging the two sides to work out an agreement at the bargaining table.
“It’s up to Air Canada and the pilots’ union to do the work to figure out how to make sure that they are not hurting millions of Canadians who rely on air travel, thousands and thousands of businesses across this country who will be hurt if they can’t get the work done at the bargaining table,” he told reporters.
But media reports as of late Saturday indicated the two sides were far apart. It was not looking good.
It turns out the negotiators managed to work it out. The union and management deserve a pat on the back for making that happen. It would have been a disaster if they didn’t.
Sometimes when one is ready to report on the crippling effects that would come from a work stoppage, it’s important to give credit when one is averted.
Flights were taking off on time Sunday.
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