Expert: A potential strike by Air Canada pilots

“Air Canada is offering passengers who have booked flights around the date of a possible pilot strike next month some increased flexibility in rebooking their travel. The airline says progress has been made in its negotiations and it hopes to reach a deal, but it still faces the possibility of a strike by its 5,400 pilots as early as Sept. 17.” (The Globe and Mail)

Here is an expert from McGill University who can comment on this topic:

John Gradek, School of Continuing Studies, McGill University

“With the union representing Air Canada pilots (Air Line Pilots Association - ALPA) announcing results of a strike vote on August 22, wherein 98 per cent supported strike action, and the start of a cooling-off period following unsuccessful conciliation, Canadians are staring at a potential shutdown of Air Canada services in late September. Major sticking points in these negotiations include retirement benefits, work scheduling and deployment, as well as compensation to more closely align with U.S. commercial airline pilots. Should an Air Canada work stoppage be considered a national crisis requiring government intervention? There is sufficient competitive airline capacity to keep Canadians flying, thus I believe letting the collective bargaining process proceed is the best avenue for Air Canada and the Airline Pilots Association to conclude an agreement.”

John Gradek is a Faculty Lecturer in the School of Continuing Studies, where he co-ordinates the Supply Chain and Operations Management and Integrated Aviation Management programs. He has held senior roles at Air Canada in operations, marketing and planning and has worked in the development and the delivery of commercial airline management programs for the International Aviation Management Training Institute. He is a former member of the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada, having served from 2018-2022.

john.gradek [at] mcgill.ca (English, French)