Would you work for no pay? The question behind the Air Canada strike

Recently, Air Canada flight attendants went on strike to demand fair pay for all the work they do, not just the hours spent in the air. For decades, flight attendants in North America have only been paid for the time when the plane is moving, which means all the work they do before takeoff, like helping passengers board and making sure the cabin is safe, has gone unpaid. This practice is different from some European airlines, where cabin crew receive monthly salaries that cover all their duties, including ground work.

The strike took place during the busy summer travel season, causing disruptions for many travelers. Flight attendants protested with signs saying things like 'PAY ME FOR BOARDING' and 'GIVE ME MONEY,' highlighting their demand for fair compensation. After a brief strike, Air Canada and the Canadian Union for Public Employees reached a tentative agreement. While the full details have not been released, reports say the deal includes a pay increase over several years and, for the first time, partial pay for boarding duties and cabin checks before takeoff. This is seen as a historic win by the union, which declared that unpaid work is 'over.

However, not all flight attendants are satisfied with the deal, and it is still unclear if enough workers will vote to approve it. Other airlines in Canada, like Air Transat and WestJet, as well as US-based United Airlines, do not currently pay for ground work, but experts believe that Air Canada's new policy could set a precedent and lead to changes across the industry. The reason airlines have avoided paying for ground work is that it is easier to track hours when the plane is moving, while boarding time can vary. To compensate, airlines have offered higher hourly wages, but many flight attendants argue that their total pay is still too low, especially in expensive cities.

Some flight attendants estimate they do about 40 hours of unpaid work each month. Junior flight attendants are especially affected because they often work shorter flights. The issue of unpaid ground work became more important after the Covid-19 pandemic, which made boarding more complicated and increased the amount of work flight attendants had to do before takeoff. Delta Airlines was the first in North America to start paying for ground work in 2022, and other airlines like American and Alaska Airlines quickly followed.

With Air Canada now offering ground pay, experts say other airlines will likely do the same to stay competitive. The strike has also been seen as a turning point for labor rights in Canada, as the union refused to comply with a government order to return to work. Public support was strong for the flight attendants, who argued that unpaid labor was unfair. This could lead to more changes in the future, not just for airline workers but for other industries as well.