Striking Air Canada flight attendants at Toronto Pearson International Airport rejected the company’s wage offer, leading to a bitter dispute that is expected to be resolved through mediation. The rejection of the agreement by 99.1% of flight attendants resulted in negotiations being referred to arbitration, with the possibility of a prolonged dispute looming.

The strike highlighted the North American flight attendants’ demands for pay from the time they check in to when they clock out, challenging the current compensation structure that mainly pays cabin crew when the aircraft is in motion. While the proposed deal included compensation for ground work and improvements to wages, pensions, and benefits, many flight attendants expressed disappointment over the agreement, citing insufficient coverage for increased cost of living, especially in high-cost cities like Toronto.

The negotiations, which were carried out under the threat of criminal charges, further underscored the challenges faced by airline workers in securing fair compensation for their labor.