Air Canada pilots prepare for strike amid ongoing labour dispute

After several months of disruptions for air travellers, there could be more turbulence ahead as the union representing Air Canada pilots prepares for a possible strike next month.

The airline and pilots union have been negotiating for more than a year but remain "far apart" on compensation and other issues, the union said.

Air Canada and the Air Line Pilots Association worked with a private mediator during the first half of this year and are now in conciliation. 

The pilots are now voting on whether to give their union a strike mandate. The earliest possible job action would be Sept. 17.

"The pilots are frustrated," said first officer Charlene Hudy, chair of the master elected council, which represents pilots during negotiations with the airline.

"We've seen a large gap between ourselves and our American counterparts," said Hudy. "Right now, some of my American counterparts are making twice as much as I do and the pilots that I represent."

The union is handing out lanyards, stickers and pins showing the phrase "Strike Ready" to its more than 5,500 members.

Air Canada said they're seeing progress in the negotiations.

"Already, we have reached agreement on several items," said an airline spokesperson. "We are working actively to reach agreement on the remaining issues with an aim to finalize a deal over the next several weeks."

Air travellers have faced many headaches so far this year, including the sudden shutdown of discount carrier Lynx Air in February, a strike by mechanics at WestJet, and severe weather that damaged Calgary's airport and grounded about 10 per cent of WestJet's fleet.

"There's seemingly some kind of a crisis going on somewhere. It's just the nature of the airline sector here in Canada," said Rick Erickson, a Calgary-based aviation analyst.

The pilots had a 10-year collective agreement with the airline, but the agreement expired in September of 2023 after the union used an escape clause that ended the deal one year early. 

"Air Canada has enjoyed a very long period of labour stability, virtually across all unions at the airline," said Erickson. "Pilots at Air Canada have watched other pilots at other airlines, particularly in the United States, gain very substantive benefits."

Air Canada and many other North American airlines enjoyed a sharp rise in demand in recent years. However, the industry now faces an over-supply of seats for sale. The sector has other challenges, including high fuel costs and delays in receiving new aircraft.