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PAL Airlines Flight Attendants File for Conciliation

ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland and Labrador--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Flight attendants at PAL Airlines are filing for conciliation with the federal labour board after bargaining has failed to produce sufficient progress on key issues.

The flight attendants, represented by CUPE 5451, have been negotiating with PAL Airlines since the spring of 2025. Their previous collective agreement expired April 30, 2025.

“Our members show up every day to keep passengers safe and keep communities connected across PAL’s network of commercial flying, charters, and contracts such as Air Canada Express,” said Mark Rice, PAL flight attendant and president of CUPE 5451. “They deserve a contract that recognizes the value of that work. We have reached a point where we need the assistance of a conciliator to help move negotiations forward.”

Key outstanding issues include wages, scheduling, working conditions, and work-life balance.

Like many flight attendants across Canada, PAL Airlines flight attendants also perform many critical safety-related duties without pay before every takeoff and after every landing.

“Flight attendants across Canada are raising the bar and demanding fair compensation for all the work they do,” said Rice. “PAL Airlines flight attendants deserve the same respect. Our members are united, and they are determined to achieve a fair agreement.”

The filing begins the federal conciliation process under the Canada Labour Code. Once a conciliator has been appointed, they will have up to 60 days to work with the parties towards a new agreement. CUPE 5451 says its priority remains reaching a fair agreement at the bargaining table.

CUPE 5451 represents 175 PAL Airlines flight attendants based in St. John’s, Halifax, Montreal, and Kitchener.

Contacts

Hugh Pouliot
CUPE Communications
613-818-0067
hpouliot@cupe.ca

Industry:

Canadian Union of Public Employees

Release Versions
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Contacts

Hugh Pouliot
CUPE Communications
613-818-0067
hpouliot@cupe.ca

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