Air Canada Resolved to Settle Pilots Contract Without Disruption To Customers

Air Canada said today it remained determined to settle its pilots' labour contract without disruption to its customers following an announcement by the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) that a strike mandate had been achieved.

The company indicated that the announcement was expected in light of ACPA's request to its members to grant their bargaining committee a stronger negotiating mandate. According to Canadian labour law, a union has to give the Company 72 hours notice of strike action prior to a walk-out. ACPA has not given notice of intent to strike in view of the scheduled negotiations starting Wednesday.

``We interpret ACPA's willingness to return to the negotiating table without giving prior strike notice to be a positive sign,'' said Calin Rovinescu, Executive Vice-President, Corporate Development & Strategy. ``We are completely focused on resolving this dispute without disruption to our customers and look forward to returning to the negotiating table on Wednesday in order to resolve our differences as quickly as possible.''

``We are encouraged with ACPA's stated commitment to resolve this dispute without disruption to our customers. Air Canada's pilots have a considerable stake in the airline's future growth and it is expected that their professionalism will prevail in ensuring the travelling public is not inconvenienced during this impasse,'' added Mr. Rovinescu.