By Allison Lampert and Wa Lone
MONTREAL/TORONTO (Rtrs) -Hundreds of cabin crew members took their fight to major Canadian airports on Monday, picketing against unpaid labor, as talks on wages intensify between Air Canada and its flight attendants this week ahead of a possible strike.
A group of 700 mostly female flight attendants in crisp dark grey uniforms demonstrated at Toronto Pearson International Airport, donning signs with messages like "unpaid work won't fly," according to The Canadian Union
of Public Employees, which said the contention is a key issue in contract talks with the carrier as a possible strike may come as early as August 16.
A walkout during the busy summer travel season would be a blow for Canada's largest carrier, which recently reported a drop in second-quarter profit, weighed by weak passenger traffic to its key U.S. market.
The negotiations between Air Canada and the union representing more than 10,000 flight attendants are further testing the way airlines compensate cabin crews, following earlier gains by cabin crew at some U.S. carriers.
Most airlines have paid cabin crew members only when planes are in motion. But in their latest contract negotiations, flight attendants in North America have sought compensation for hours worked, including for tasks like boarding passengers and waiting around the airport before and between flights.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents Air Canada flight attendants, has said it is also asking for higher pay for members, especially for recent recruits.
Air Canada said in a statement it remains at the bargaining table and is focused on achieving a negotiated settlement that would make its flight attendants the best paid in the country, while supporting the long-term growth of the company.
CUPE Strike Committee Chair Shanyn Elliott told reporters in Toronto that attendants perform an average of 35 unpaid work hours monthly for safety checks, boarding, deplaning, and passenger emergencies. She said their last contract was signed 10 years ago, so wages lag inflation, and some attendants rely on food banks or shared bunk rooms.
The demonstrations did not impact Air Canada's operations. Both sides have said they want to get a negotiated agreement.
Jim Ken, 73, an Air Canada passenger who is flying to Malta for vacation, told Reuters that he has sympathy for the workers, but is concerned about delays when he returns home in 11 days.
“I hope flight attendants get a fair contract and they deserve it," he said. "I just hope everything goes smooth ... for both sides."
Jennifer Kozelj, press secretary to Canada's Minister of Jobs and Families, said both sides are working with federal mediators.
"We have faith in their ability to reach an agreement. Canadians expect them to work this out at the bargaining table."
(Reporting by Allison Lampert in Montreal and Wa Lone in Toronto. Additional reporting by Promit Mukherjee in Ottawa; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
