Letter to PM Carney: Respect collective bargaining rights of CUPE/Air Canada workers 

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August 18, 2025

The Right Honourable Mark Carney, P.C., M.P. 
Prime Minister of Canada 
Office of the Prime Minister 
80 Wellington Street 
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2 

Re: Respect collective bargaining rights of CUPE/Air Canada workers 

Dear Prime Minister,

On behalf of the Professional Employees Association (PEA), I am writing to express support for the flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, represented by the Air Canada Component of CUPE, who are currently engaged in the legal and constitutionally protected process of collective bargaining.

Our union urges the Canadian Government to respect the rights of these workers to bargain freely and to take job action if necessary. The freedom to negotiate terms and conditions of their employment without fear of legislative interference is a fundamental right of the labour code in Canada that must be preserved and protected. 

The ability to withdraw labour is a critical tool that gives meaning and weight to the bargaining process. Undermining the ability to strike erodes worker rights and encourages employers to stall negotiations in the hope of government intervention. 

This is why we are asking you to make a clear public commitment to not interfere in the Air Canada dispute. Allow the democratic process of collective bargaining to happen and encourage the parties to remain at the table in order to reach a fair deal.

Yours sincerely, 
 

Cliff Haman 
PEA President 

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