Published 6:32 pm Tuesday, August 25, 2026 By James McCarthy Northern News Services The union representing flight attendants at Canadian North has filed a notice of dispute under the Canada Labour Code citing what it calls a “lack of meaningful progress in negotiations with the airline.” Negotiations on a new deal between the union and the airline have been ongoing since March, according to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), but stated there are several outstanding issues including wages, unpaid work, working conditions, and scheduling. “Our wages have not kept up with the cost of living and our members are struggling,” stated Isabelle Paquette, president of CUPE 8111, the local which looks after the flight attendants. “Our Flight Attendant Confessions campaign has made that very clear.” A notice of dispute triggers a federal conciliation process under code where an officer appointed by the Department of Labour will try to help both sides within a 60-day period. After that, there’s a 21-day cooling off period where the minister can appoint someone to help mediate a deal. If no deal can be reached using a mediator, each side then has the right to either a strike or lockout. In response to the filing, a spokesperson with Canadian North told NNSL Media that the airline is “committed to rexpectful, good-faith collective bargaining.” “(Canadian North) welcomes the opportunity to continue negotiations through the conciliation process, with the support of a neutral third party,” stated Hance Colburne, Canadian North’s manager of communications and stakeholder relations. “Our goal remains to reach a negotiated agreement that recognizes the needs of our employees and customers while supporting the long-term sustainability of our airline.” Colburne also said that neither passenger nor cargo services have been affected by what’s happened and they are continuing as normal. This story has been updated to include the response from Canadian North.
Canadian North flight attendants file notice of dispute
