Air Canada Faces New Labour Pressure as 5,800+ Customer Service Agents Enter Contract Talks

Air Canada and Unifor Local 2002 have opened bargaining for 5,826 airport and call-centre customer service agents, with the current collective agreement set to expire on  February 28, 2026.

Unifor says negotiations began January 28, and members are seeking higher wages, more predictable scheduling, and improved working conditions, arguing these roles are central to the passenger experience during disruptions and day-to-day operations.

What it could mean for travelers if talks break down

These customer service agents handle check-in, ticketing, rebooking, and frontline problem-solving at major airports—including Toronto Pearson International Airport—and in contact centres, so any labour action could quickly manifest as longer queues, slower re-accommodation, and increased pressure on airport operations.

That said, a strike wouldn’t happen immediately after February 28. Federal rules require additional steps first, and any legal job action would also need at least 72 hours’ notice.

Where things stand now

As of early February 2026, the public record shows active bargaining but no strike notice. Unifor’s published updates frame this as a “critical moment” and emphasize demands tied to wage increases and working conditions, while recent travel-industry coverage highlights the potential passenger impact if negotiations stall.

The next meaningful signals to watch are a strike vote announcement, formal conciliation steps, or any indication of mediated talks—none of which, so far, has been publicly confirmed as underway in this dispute.

Air Canada has faced major labour pressure before—most notably in August 2025, when its flight attendants issued a 72-hour strike notice, triggering disruption planning across the network.

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