Air Canada Plans Full Shutdown By Weekend As 10,000 Flight Attendants Prepare To Strike Following Breakdown In Contract Talks

Air Canada will begin canceling flights on Thursday ahead of a possible strike by about 10,000 flight attendants, according to CBS News. The airline said it will fully cease operations for Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge by the weekend if no deal is reached or the government does not intervene before the strike deadline on Saturday, August 16. The union issued a 72-hour strike notice on Wednesday after rejecting the airline’s proposal for binding arbitration, citing unresolved issues over “poverty wages” and unpaid time on the ground. Air Canada said it has offered a 38% pay increase over four years with added benefits and issued its own lockout notice in response. Customers with canceled flights will receive full refunds and, when possible, be rebooked on other carriers.