IAMAW Negotiations update

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) union advised Air Canada on Apr. 16, 2026 that it has filed a request to the federal government to appoint a conciliation officer to assist with negotiations.

Conciliation is a well‑established step within the federal collective bargaining framework and is typically used when the parties reach an impasse; therein, requiring third party assistance. The federally mandated conciliation process will occur over the coming months, so customers can continue to book and travel on Air Canada with full confidence.

While we respect the IAM’s decision to seek conciliation, we remain surprised, as discussions had been progressing constructively since the IAMAW first contacted Air Canada on Feb. 3, 2026 to begin negotiations. Several items have already been agreed upon, and we had not yet begun discussions on wages or other key monetary items.

Air Canada remains fully committed to reaching a fair and balanced agreement that recognizes the important contributions of our IAM‑represented employees, while also supporting the competitiveness and long-term growth of the airline.

The IAMAW represents approximately 11,000 Air Canada employees in Maintenance, Cabin Services, Airports Airside Operations, Cargo, Finance and Clerical.