MONTREAL — Air Canada has issued a new statement following news of the strike vote results from Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants.

The Air Canada Component of CUPE, the union representing over 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, said today its members have voted 99.7% in favour of strike action, if necessary.

As reported earlier, the strike vote ran July 28 – Aug. 5. Key issues that remain sticking points include pay, unpaid work, per diems, pension, work rules and prone rest.

“Air Canada acknowledged today the result of its flight attendants’ vote to provide the union with a mandate to strike should an agreement not be reached between the company and CUPE through the ongoing negotiations,” said Air Canada in a new statement.

“Such a vote is a normal step in the negotiation process and does not mean that any disruption will take place. Air Canada remains committed to the bargaining process and is eager to resume discussions, which CUPE had suspended during the vote. Air Canada is determined to reach a fair and equitable collective agreement that recognizes the contributions of its Flight Attendants and supports the competitiveness and long-term growth of the company.

“Air Canada firmly believes that there is more than enough time to reach such an agreement and avoid disrupting the plans of hundreds of thousands of travellers.

“The 21-day cool off period expires at 12:01 am Eastern Daylight Time on Saturday, August 16, meaning no job action can take place before that time at the earliest.”

Air Canada noted that the negotiations cover flight attendants working for Air Canada’s main operations and Air Canada Rouge. Flight attendants working for Jazz and PAL, which operate Air Canada Express flights, are not affected by the negotiations or the strike vote.

Wesley Lesosky, President of the Air Canada Component of CUPE, said: “The company would rather drag their feet than negotiate on the things that matter to our members. Now, flight attendants have had a chance to weigh in and tell the company it’s time to get serious about negotiating.”

Lesosky also noted that a strike vote is a necessary precursor for legal job action, however it does not necessarily mean that Air Canada flight attendants will be going on strike.