After four tense days of disruption, Air Canada’s flight attendants are facing a moment of reckoning. The tentative labour agreement that ended their recent strike—one that left nearly half a million passengers stranded—has sparked disappointment and even anger among many in the ranks, according to reporting by Daily Times. With a ratification vote looming, the fate of the deal, and perhaps the stability of Canada’s largest airline, hangs in the balance.
The strike, which began earlier this month, ground Air Canada’s operations to a near halt. Passengers across the country and beyond found themselves stuck, with flights canceled or indefinitely delayed. The pressure quickly mounted—not only from frustrated customers, but also from government officials who, as Daily Times noted, pushed both sides back to the bargaining table. Negotiators eventually hammered out a tentative agreement, but the sense of relief was short-lived.
For many cabin crew members, the details of the proposed contract have fallen flat. The core of their frustration? The deal, they argue, still doesn’t deliver a living wage for new recruits and fails to properly compensate attendants for the hours they spend waiting before flights—time that, until now, has largely gone unpaid.
“It’s still not liveable,” one attendant said, echoing a sentiment that has gained traction during recent town hall-style meetings where union leaders presented the agreement’s finer points. The meetings, intended to foster transparency and unity, instead became outlets for pent-up frustration. Attendants voiced their disappointment, arguing the deal fell short of the expectations set during the heated days of negotiation—and, perhaps more importantly, the sacrifices made during the strike itself.
One of the most contentious issues is compensation for ground duties, such as boarding passengers and preparing the cabin. While the contract introduces partial payments for this time—a modest step forward, to be sure—the coverage remains limited. Many flight attendants feel that these gains are insufficient, especially given the long-standing complaints about unpaid hours on the ground. According to Daily Times, several cabin crew members have already made it clear they intend to vote against the agreement.
Union president Wesley Lesosky has acknowledged the growing discontent. He’s walked a delicate line, emphasizing both the progress made and the reality of what’s at stake. Lesosky pointed out that the deal reflects the strength of the membership, who held firm during the strike and forced management to make concessions not previously on the table. “The deal reflected the strength of members who held firm during the strike,” Lesosky said, highlighting the union’s ability to secure wage discussions as a separate issue from other contract items—a noteworthy achievement in the world of labour negotiations.
Still, Lesosky has not shied away from the fact that many members are dissatisfied. He’s been clear about the next steps if the agreement is rejected: the wage-related portion would proceed to arbitration, while other outstanding matters would continue to move forward through the usual bargaining channels. This means that, even if the deal is voted down, the process is far from over. But it also means that flight attendants cannot legally strike again, at least for the time being—a reality that removes the immediate threat of further walkouts, but could prolong the uncertainty for both workers and management.
The numbers at the heart of the deal tell their own story. The tentative agreement includes wage increases of roughly 20% for entry-level workers and about 16% for experienced attendants, spread over the next four years. On paper, these are significant gains. But critics, including many within the union’s own ranks, argue that the increases simply do not keep pace with the rising cost of living—especially in Canada’s largest cities, where many of the airline’s crew are based. The persistent issue of unpaid work hours only adds to the sense of injustice.
“The proposed deal fails to deliver a living wage for new recruits and does not properly address unpaid hours spent waiting before flights,” several flight attendants told Daily Times. Their frustration isn’t just about dollars and cents; it’s about recognition and respect for the work they do, both in the air and on the ground. The strike may have ended, but the underlying issues remain unresolved for many.
The voting process on the tentative deal is set to run from August 27 to September 6, 2025. That gives members just over a week to decide whether to accept the terms or send negotiators back to the drawing board. However, as Daily Times noted, the rules of the game have changed: flight attendants cannot legally strike again, even if the contract is rejected. This legal reality removes the immediate threat of another walkout, but it also means that the path to a final agreement could be long and winding.
For Air Canada, the stakes could hardly be higher. The airline has already withdrawn its financial guidance for the year, citing the uncertainty caused by the labour dispute. With so much in flux, both workers and management are eager for a resolution—but it’s clear that any sense of closure remains elusive. The events of the past weeks have exposed deep rifts, not just between company and crew, but within the workforce itself.
Looking ahead, the outcome of the vote will shape the next chapter for Air Canada and its flight attendants. If the deal is accepted, it will bring a measure of stability, at least in the short term. But if it’s rejected, the process could drag on for months, with arbitration and further negotiations likely. Either way, the experience has left a mark on the airline, its employees, and the hundreds of thousands of passengers who found themselves caught in the crossfire.
Labour disputes in the airline industry are nothing new, of course. But the Air Canada strike stands out for its scale and its timing, coming as the industry continues to rebound from the turbulence of the pandemic years. The issues at play—fair wages, compensation for all hours worked, and the dignity of essential workers—resonate far beyond the confines of one company or one country. They are questions that airlines, unions, and governments around the world will continue to grapple with in the months and years ahead.
For now, all eyes are on Air Canada’s flight attendants as they prepare to cast their votes. The decision they make will not only determine their own future, but could also set a precedent for workers across the aviation industry. It’s a moment charged with uncertainty—and, perhaps, with the possibility of change.
