Flag carrier Air Canada is expected to start canceling some flights on August 14 ahead of a wide-ranging flight attendant strike.
The flight attendants issued their72-hour strike notice, backed by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents about 10,000 flight attendants at the airline.
CUPE formally issued the strike notice after no further progress was made in new contract talks.
The union says the airline has ‘refused to address’ key issues over pay and periods of unpaid work.
The airline will tomorrow start to cancel some flights.
The industrial action begins on Saturday.
Air Canada warned that travelers should check nearer the time their current flight status before going to the airport.
The strike is set to begin at about 01:00 EST (05:00 GMT) on Saturday.
The airline warned it could disrupt up to 130,000 travelers for each of the days of the strike.
“By optimally positioning aircraft and crews ahead of a possible stoppage, Air Canada will be able to provide required routine maintenance and more quickly restore regular service,” Air Canada said.
It is planned ahead for a possible ‘complete cessation of flying’ on Saturday, the airline said.
The strike action won’t affect Air Canada Express flights.
Customers whose flights are canceled will be offered a full refund.
It has arranged for some customers to be re-accommodated on other airlines’ services where available.
