Air Canada and union reach deal

MONTREAL — Air Canada has reached a tentative contract deal with the union for its flight attendants, averting a possible strike that would have severely disrupted operations at Canada’s biggest airline.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees said Tuesday it is recommending Air Canada’s 6,800 flight attendants accept the deal, details of which won’t be made public until after a vote is held.

In August, the Air Canada flight attendants had resoundingly rejected a tentative deal CUPE negotiated with the airline, forcing the two sides back to the drawing board. The key areas of dispute were wages, pensions, crew rest, working conditions and work rules.

A strike deadline had been set for just after midnight Wednesday, though the government had warned it would introduce back-to-work legislation.

CUPE said it will hold meetings of its membership in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal over the next week.

Union president Jeff Taylor said its “executive committee will recommend that its members accept this tentative agreement.”

“It’s business as usual and customers can continue to make their travel plans on Air Canada with confidence,” Susan Welscheid, Air Canada’s senior vice president of customer service, said in a statement.

A walkout in June by the airline’s customer service agents lasted just three days before a deal was reached under a threat by the government that it would legislate them back to work.

Sal Occhiuzzi, 54, a flight attendant for 31 years, said workers just wanted a fair deal that will allow them to recover some of the money lost in the last decade.

“We helped the company out when things were tough and we all gave a lot and it’s time for the company to give a bit back,” he said.