Air Canada has begun enacting its contingency plans for travellers ahead of a possible strike.
The Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents around 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants, issued a 72-hour notice of its intent to strike just before 1 a.m. on Wednesday. Half an hour later, Air Canada issued a notice that it also plans to lock out the flight attendants.
Air Canada's latest offer included a 38 per cent increase in total compensation over four years that it says would "have made our flight attendants the best compensated in Canada." It also included "provisions for ground pay and other work-life balance, career and pension improvements," according to a news release.
The airline has requested government-directed arbitration, but remains available for further discussions with the union.
When could the Air Canada flight attendants' strike happen?
If Air Canada and the union don't reach an agreement, the strike can officially commence on Saturday, Aug. 16, at 1 a.m. EST (Friday, Aug. 15, 10 p.m. PST).
What is Air Canada doing ahead of the strike?
Ahead of the possible strike, Air Canada is beginning a "phased wind-down" of most of its operations over three days. It has issued a statutory 72-hour notice and will notify travellers of potential travel impacts in the coming days.
Air Canada operates in 65 countries globally and will begin cancelling flights Aug. 14, with more on Aug. 15, and a complete cessation of flying by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge on Aug. 16.
What should Vancouver travellers consider?
Travellers with flights booked from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) can check with the airport online for possible updates.
Before heading to YVR, travellers should check online for possible delays, including on their commute to the airport or while on their flight, if possible. YVR frequently updates its X/Twitter, channel with information related to weather, staff shortages, protests, and more.
However, in the case of a strike, travellers should check with Air Canada first before checking YVR channels. They shouldn't go to the airport to try to resolve an issue.
FlightAware's online flight tracker also shows recent delays and cancellations at YVR.
What should I do if I have a flight booked?
Flights currently listed on Air Canada's website are expected to operate as scheduled, according to the airline. Impacted customers will be notified directly.
Air Canada says customers with flights booked between Aug. 15 and Aug. 18 can change their flight for free if they bought an Air Canada ticket or redeemed points for an Aeroplan flight reward no later than Aug. 13.
If customers are scheduled to travel during this period, they can retrieve their booking to change their flight, for free, to another date between Aug. 21 and Sept. 12.
If you purchased a non-refundable fare, you may cancel your itinerary and receive the value of your ticket in your AC Wallet or as a Future Travel Credit to use on your next Air Canada booking.
What happens if my flight is cancelled?
Air Canada says it will notify customers via text message or email of any itinerary impacts.
Travellers can also check the status of flights online or download the Air Canada mobile app for up-to-date information.
The airline also states on its website that it will do its best to re-book customers on the next available flight, but notes that space is limited during the peak summer travel season. Travellers in this situation can also request a refund.
Air Passenger Rights advocacy group president Gabor Lukacs noted on his website that the airline's decision to “preemptively” cancel flights before a strike occurs is a "business decision over which Air Canada has full control, and it is not required for safety reasons." As such, this travel disruption is not "caused" by the labour disruption, but is similar it deciding "not to operate a flight for purely economic reasons (e.g., insufficient number of seats sold)."
If customers request a refund for flights cancelled after the strike, the refund should appear in the original form of payment and within 30 days of all unused flight segments.
Lukacs tells V.I.A. passengers should wait for Air Canada to cancel their flight, and give the airline a chance to re-book them as required by law.
"Once Air Canada fails to do so, passengers should buy a ticket on a competitor, and make Air Canada pay for it," he notes.
Am I entitled to extra compensation?
Under Canada's Airline Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), customers are not eligible for compensation for delayed or cancelled flights, meals, hotels or other incidental expenses during labour disruptions over and above re-booking them on the next flight if all their travel takes place in Canada.
But if customers experience flight delays on re-booked flights that AC preemptively cancels, they can apply for cash compensation for the inconvenience of up to $1,000 per passenger, depending on the length of delay they experienced arriving at their final destination compared to the scheduled arrival (if they were notified about the cancellation 14 days or less before their travel date), according to Lukacs.
If they opt for a refund, they may be entitled to $400 cash compensation per passenger for their inconvenience (if they were notified about the cancellation 14 days or less before their travel date).
Lukacs advises travellers to carefully consider opting for the second option, as it often costs more to book a flight closer to the date of travel, and this option allows the airline to effectively "wash its hands of further responsibility" for travel.
Will my Canadian travel insurance cover me if my flights are changed?
Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA) is encouraging Canadians to review their travel insurance coverage carefully and contact their providers for any clarification if they have questions.
THIA Spokesperson Will McAleer tells V.I.A. that impacted customers should contact Air Canada for information about refunds and flight rescheduling if their flights are impacted.
Travel insurance policies that include trip cancellation, interruption, delay or missed connections (and a strike is listed as a covered reason), may be reimbursed for prepaid travel costs that Air Canada or other providers won't refund, McAleer explains.
Travellers should also check the "known event" date on their insurance policy.
"Many travel insurance providers may indicate when the threat of the strike became a known event. Policies purchased prior to this date may include coverage, but those purchased after may not," he says.
With files from the Canadian Press.
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