Flight attendants employed on Air Canada Express flights are currently in the process of voting on whether to authorize strike action, as their union reports a standstill in bargaining discussions. The Canadian Flight Attendant Union, representing approximately 1,000 flight attendants, is pursuing a strike mandate following unsuccessful negotiations with Jazz Aviation on key issues despite nine months of talks and mediator involvement.

In a released statement, the CFAU emphasized the necessity of a robust strike mandate from its members to convey the seriousness of unresolved matters and the determination of the flight attendants. In response, a spokesperson for Jazz Aviation expressed the company’s dedication to securing an agreement at the bargaining table without causing disruptions to its operations. The company is now looking into appointing a conciliation officer as talks with the Canadian Flight Attendant Union have hit an impasse.

Among the primary concerns raised by the union is the disparity in pay compared to flight attendants at other Canadian airlines, along with the need for better compensation for ground work and improvements that acknowledge the job’s impact on their members’ lives. The union is also advocating for the acknowledgment of its members as safety professionals for their duties in ensuring passenger safety, which was underscored following a tragic incident involving Air Canada Express Flight AC8646 in March.

Voting on the strike mandate is scheduled to conclude on Friday at noon. The potential strike action looms following recent strikes by WestJet flight attendants and Air Canada flight attendants, raising uncertainties about the timeline for Air Canada Express flight attendants if they opt to support a strike mandate.