Jazz Flight Attendants Back Strike Mandate as Air Canada Express Talks Stall
Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتساب
Flight attendants at Jazz Aviation, a major operator of flights under the Air Canada Express brand, have voted 99 per cent in favour of giving their union a strike mandate, escalating pressure in months-long contract negotiations. The vote does not mean a strike has begun, and no immediate work stoppage has been announced.
The Canadian Flight Attendant Union (CFAU), which represents more than 1,000 Jazz flight attendants, said 99 per cent of members who cast ballots supported authorizing strike action if a new collective agreement cannot be reached.
The vote follows roughly nine months of bargaining, including mediation. Jazz flight attendants have been working without a current collective agreement since January 1, 2026, after their previous contract expired at the end of December. Outstanding issues include wages, compensation for work performed on the ground and working conditions that reflect the safety responsibilities of cabin crews.
Union president Marsha Walters has argued that required work and time controlled by the employer should be properly recognized and compensated, while stressing the safety responsibilities flight attendants carry before, during and after flights.
The dispute could be significant for passengers because of the scale of Jazz's operations. According to the union, its members help carry about 22,000 passengers a day on more than 400 daily departures across North America, with flight attendant bases in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.
Jazz Aviation has said it remains committed to reaching an agreement at the bargaining table without disrupting operations and has sought the appointment of a conciliation officer. As of Saturday, September 5, no strike date had been announced, meaning the 99 per cent vote is an authorization for possible future job action rather than the start of a strike.
