On Saturday,

Air Canada

’s flight attendants voted against ratifying the deal struck by their

union

and the airline in late August. The “no” vote means the parties will now enter binding mediation, without further work stoppages or a lockout. The dispute is one of many labour actions taking place across the country, as companies, workers and governments navigate a turbulent economy and fallout from the

trade war

. Here’s a look at the current labour activity, from early-stage negotiations to widespread picket lines.

Air Canada vs. Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)

Employees:

10,000 Air Canada flight attendants

Background:

Last month, flight attendants held a days-long

strike

that resulted in hundreds of flight cancellations at Canada’s largest airline. A tentative deal was reached on Aug. 19, followed by a ratification vote in which members voted against on Sept. 6.

Status:

With the deal not getting ratified, the wage portion will now proceed to mediation and interest arbitration. The parties agreed that no labour disruption could be initiated and that flights would continue to operate.

Canada Post vs. Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW)

Employees:

Approximately 55,000

Canada Post

workers, including carriers, postal clerks, mail handlers, dispatchers, technicians, mechanics and electricians.

Background:

Canada Post has been in negotiations with its postal workers for the last 21 months.

Status:

On Aug. 27, Canada Post and CUPW returned to the bargaining table after exchanging offers and counter-offers since May. The two sides have been negotiating on and off for nearly two years, during which time workers spent more than four weeks on the picket lines, until the government intervened. The parties did not reach an agreement at their August meeting; union members rejected the company’s “final” offer, while Canada Post is demanding concessions.

Government of B.C. vs. B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU)

Employees:

More than 35,800 public-service workers, including staff at B.C. Liquor stores, administrative professionals, conservation officers, correctional officers, woodland firefighters, social workers and other government employees spanning more than two dozen ministries and agencies, along with 1,800 licensed professionals (engineers, foresters, scientists and other experts) represented by the Professional Employees Association (PEA).

Background:
On Sept. 2

, tens of thousands of B.C.’s public service workers launched a strike, with picket lines in Surrey, Victoria and Prince George, after voting 92.7 per cent in favour of job action last month. Melissa Moroz, president of PEA, said about 150 of its members walked the picket lines at three sites alongside BCGEU workers. Negotiations with the province over cost-of-living adjustments, access to remote work and wage increases (the union has asked for 8.25 per cent over two years) broke off at the end of July.

Status:

The BCGEU began escalated job action on Sept. 9 with new picket lines going up at multiple locations across the province. This marks the beginning of the second week of strike action.

College Employer Council vs. Ontario Public Service Employees

Employees:

10,000 full-time college support staff; 13,000 part-time college support staff

Background:

The College Employer Council (CEC), the agent for 24 Ontario colleges, and the Ontario Public Service Employees (OPSEU) have been at the bargaining table since since June, negotiating over paid sick days and livable wage increases. They have yet to reach an agreement.

Status:

OPSEU said full-time support staff will officially be on strike as of 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 11 if a deal is not reached. Meanwhile, OPSEU also gave notice on

Sept. 1

that 13,000 part-time college support staff are seeking a province-wide strike vote this semester.

The parties will be back at the table  Sept. 9 and Sept. 10.

Dalhousie University vs. Dalhousie Faculty Association (DFA)

Employees:

Nearly 1,000 professors, instructors, librarians and professional counsellors

Background:

Faculty at Dalhousie University in Halifax have been locked out since Aug. 20, resulting in most of the university’s classes being cancelled since the fall semester began on Sept. 2. With the faculty’s current contract expired June 30, the university has offered two per cent wage increases in each year of a three-year deal. The union has proposed increases of 3.75 per cent in the first year, 4.75 per cent in the second, and 5.75 per cent in the third.

Status:

The lockout has extended into the second week of the fall semester. The Dalhousie Board of Governors and the DFA resumed talks on on Sept. 8.

Government of Alberta vs. Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA)

Employees:

51,000 of the province’s full- and part-time elementary and secondary school teachers

Background:

Nearly 95 per cent of ATA members voted in favour of strike action in June, after their contract expired, though no notice has yet been given to school boards. The union said it is focused on chronic underfunding, flawed curriculum and assessments, regressive legislation such as Bill 27 and the integrity of teacher credentialing. The government’s latest offer is centred around a salary increase of 12 per cent over the next four years

—

the same offer that teachers rejected in June.

Status:

Mediated talks resumed Aug. 26 but broke down last week, raising the likelihood of labour action or a lockout by the province by Oct. 6 should bargaining efforts fail to deliver an agreement. The government said late Friday that it’s ready to return to the table.

Flair Airlines vs. Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA)

Employees:

Flair’s 250-plus pilots

Background:

On Sept. 2, the ALPA announced its intention to formally open contract negotiations with the discount carrier on a new collective agreement. Flair acknowledged the notice and said it has been actively preparing for the commencement of collective bargaining.

Status:

While the negotiation details have not been publicized, ALPA said they aim to focus on pilot wages, career progression and quality of life. Their current agreement is set to expire on Dec. 31.

Bradley Air Services (operating as Canadian North) vs. ALPA

Employees:

250 Canadian North pilots, who service arctic destinations

Background:

The ALPA served Canadian North with a formal notice to begin bargaining a seventh collective agreement for the airline’s pilots.

  • Flair Airlines’ pilots set to open contract negotiations
  • Air Canada strike will hit earnings, but not for long, say analysts

Status:

The union said it will bring forth issues of compensation, quality of life and improved accommodations in remote northern communities. The pilots’ current agreement is also set to expire on Dec. 31.

• Email: dpaglinawan@postmedia.com