The largest union involved with Air Canada today served strike notice, which could ground flights beginning this Monday.
The 8,600 mechanics, baggage handlers and cargo agents of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers served notice that they intend to strike beginning at 12:01 a.m. on March 12. There was a tentative agreement in the dispute between the union and management, but on February 23 the membership voted 78 per cent in favour of job action.
"We are the largest unionized work force at Air Canada, without us, it's all grounded," the union said in a statement posted on its website.
"We recognize that the IAMAW’s notice of strike action in the midst of the peak March Break travel period will cause uncertainty for thousands of our customers. The lines of communication remain open and we are hopeful that there remains sufficient time to avoid a work disruption,” said Duncan Dee, Air Canada's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in a statement on the Air Canada website.
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