Union representing Air Canada’s flight attendants files for conciliation as talks stall [Video]

The union representing Air Canada flight attendants says it has filed for conciliation with the federal labour minister after reaching an impasse in contract negotiations with the airline.

The Air Canada component of CUPE, which represents 10,000 Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants, said its top priority is boosting compensation, noting an entry-level full-time salary is roughly $1,951 per month.

Its previous contract with the airline, which had been in effect since 2015, expired in March.

“Everything has changed since 2015, but the company refuses to acknowledge reality,” said union president Wesley Lesosky in a press release.

“Our workloads have soared, the cost of living has skyrocketed beyond belief, and our working conditions are getting worse by the day. The status quo won’t cut it.”

The union also wants to close what it calls loopholes in the Canada Labour Code that it says allow airlines to force flight …