Air Canada has reached a tentative collective agreement with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), covering more than 11,000 employees in Maintenance, Cabin Services, Airport Airside Operations, Cargo, Finance, and Clerical. The agreement recognizes the contributions and skills of Air Canada's operations and administrative employees, though specific terms remain confidential pending ratification.

Ratification Process

The agreement is subject to ratification by the union membership, a process expected to be completed over the next few weeks. Following union approval, the agreement must also be approved by the Air Canada Board of Directors. The timeline for final implementation depends on the successful completion of these procedural steps.

Employee Coverage

The tentative agreement impacts a significant portion of Air Canada's workforce across various operational and administrative functions. The following table outlines the key employee groups covered under the new contract:

Company Background

Air Canada is Canada's largest airline and flag carrier, headquartered in Montréal. As a founding member of Star Alliance, the airline provides scheduled service to more than 180 airports across six continents. The company's shares are publicly traded on the TSX under the symbol AC.

Air Canada has ratified a new four-year collective agreement with Unifor, covering approximately 6,000 contact centre, customer relations, concierge, airport in-terminal, and customer journey management employees. The agreement is in effect until February 28, 2030. This ratification secures labor stability for a significant portion of Air Canada's frontline workforce, ensuring a framework for future growth.

Mike Abbott, Vice-President, Labour Relations at Air Canada, expressed appreciation for the efforts of both the Unifor and Air Canada negotiating teams. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of customer service employees while establishing a foundation for the airline's expansion. The agreement is the third collective agreement ratified at Air Canada this year, following earlier ratifications by Flight Operations Crew Schedulers and In-Flight Crew Schedulers.

Agreement Details

The new collective agreement covers a broad range of customer-facing roles within the airline. The following table outlines the key aspects of the agreement:

Context and Significance

This ratification is part of a series of labor agreements reached by Air Canada in the current year. The airline has now successfully concluded negotiations with three distinct employee groups, including Flight Operations Crew Schedulers and In-Flight Crew Schedulers. These agreements collectively contribute to operational stability and industrial relations at Canada's largest airline.