Air Canada, pilots return to bargaining table with federal mediator
Posted April 20, 2012 9:57 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It has been a bitter dispute that directly affected travellers, and now Air Canada and the union representing its 3,000 pilots have agreed to return to the bargaining table.
Both sides have agreed to head back to the table for at least ten days, under the guidance of a federal mediator, saying they will work out a deal no matter what.
The meetings are an attempt by Air Canada and its pilots to avoid accepting a deal imposed under a bill passed by Ottawa.
If no deal can be agreed upon, it’s believed the two sides will enter binding arbitration, ending the lengthy dispute that has damaged Air Canada’s public image.
The labour dispute has been difficult for the company, workers and travellers alike.
Many passengers were forced to cancel or miss flights after illegal work action by unhappy Air Canada employees.
Business-traveler Brian had one of his flights cancelled last week when some pilots staged an illegal work strike.
“That’s good, binding arbitration is a good idea, it’s nice to have some peace of mind,” Brian said.
Peace of mind which many passengers have been unable to have recently, after the wildcat strikes left much of the flying public angry and frustrated.
