Air Canada and its flight attendants have avoided strike. In lieu of the unfavourable strike, both parties have agreed to an arbitrator: The Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). The decision will ultimately be made by CIRB chairperson, Elizabeth MacPherson, within the next couple of weeks.
Dozens of flight attendants and their supporters hold a demonstration outside Lisa Raitt's office in Milton, Ont., Oct. 13, 2011. Source: The Globe and Mail
Lisa Raitt, the Minister of Labour, is ecstatic by the parties’ decision as it avoids any disruption in flights as well as detriments to the national economy.
The main issues are pay and working conditions, including Air Canada’s new proposal of a new low-cost air carrier in which flight attendants would be paid less on.
The decision of arbitration is overall more beneficial for the consumer, the company, and the economy as a whole. An impartial and fair arbitrator will be decided on shortly and should assess the situation and agree on a mutually agreeable decision. This decision will hopefully meet the wants of both parties and allow Air Canada to continue its success as the dominant airline in the country.