Ottawa, Ontario, October 21, 2011—I would like to congratulate Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Locals 4091, 4092, 4094 and 4095 representing 6,800 flight attendants, for successfully negotiating a resolution to their current dispute. This resolution will bring labour stability to the airline while addressing the workplace issues raised by the CUPE negotiating team.
I am pleased to report to all Canadians that Air Canada and CUPE have agreed to a final binding mechanism process, one that will avoid any untimely work stoppage and allow for the airline to maintain full service for its passengers. Both parties remained committed to reaching a settlement and it is clear that they worked diligently to reach a final resolution that did not require any intervention on the part of the government.
Our Government remains supportive of the concept of free collective bargaining and as I have always stated, it is best when both parties work together to achieve an agreement.
This negotiated settlement is unquestionably in the best interest of employees, the travelling public and the Canadian economy. I commend both parties for their continued efforts in resolving this labour dispute. This was a difficult set of circumstances, and clearly both parties were able to come together and resolve their differences in a timely and mutually beneficial fashion without any negative impact or disruption to the public.
I would also like to thank the mediators from the Government of Canada’s Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service for their assistance over the past months and the Canadian Industrial Relations Board for facilitating the discussions between the parties.
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