Contract talks between Air Canada and flight attendants remain up in the air

MONTREAL, Que. – The clock is ticking down to a union-imposed strike deadline for Air Canada’s flight attendants, but talks remains ongoing.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees said the airline presented a counter-offer to a proposal the union made on Saturday.

About 6,800 flight attendants represented by CUPE have been without a contract since March 31.

They gave strike notice on Friday and are threatening to walk off the job early Wednesday morning if their demands aren’t met.

In August, they resoundingly rejected a tentative deal CUPE negotiated with the airline, forcing the two sides back to the drawing board.

If there is a strike, it could be short-lived.

In June, a walkout by the airline’s customer service agents lasted just three days after Ottawa indicated it would legislate them back to work.

Labour Minister Lisa Raitt has said she wanted to meet with the two sides today if a deal wasn’t hammered out over the weekend, but has not said if back-to-work legislation is in the cards.

Air Canada said it will operate a partial schedule in the event of a strike, but has not elaborated on its contingency plans.

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