Key Points
- 01Air Canada has a tentative collective agreement with IAMAW
- 02The deal covers more than 11,000 operations and administrative staff
- 03Contract terms remain confidential and have not been disclosed
- 04Ratification and board approval are still required for finalization
Tentative agreement reached between Air Canada and IAMAW
Air Canada announced on June 13, 2026 that it has reached a tentative collective agreement with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. The agreement covers a large group of the airline’s workforce involved in day to day operations and administrative functions.
More than 11,000 employees fall under the tentative accord. These include workers in Maintenance, Cabin Services, Airport Airside Operations, Cargo, Finance and Clerical roles across the airline.
Scope and nature of the coverage
The employee groups included in the agreement span core operational areas such as aircraft maintenance and airport airside activities, as well as customer facing cabin services. Administrative teams in cargo handling, finance and clerical positions are also covered.
By encompassing both front line operational staff and back office functions, the tentative agreement addresses a wide cross section of Air Canada’s operations and administrative workforce represented by IAMAW.
Confidential terms and approval process
Air Canada stated that the terms of the new collective agreement remain confidential. No information has been released on pay, benefits, duration, or other contractual provisions at this stage.
The agreement is not yet in force. It is subject to ratification by the IAMAW membership, with voting expected to take place over the next few weeks, and it also requires approval by Air Canada’s Board of Directors.
Only after both union ratification and board approval would the tentative agreement become a finalized collective agreement for the covered employees.
Positioning within Air Canada’s operations
Air Canada described the tentative agreement as recognizing the contributions and skills of its operations and administrative employees represented by IAMAW. These workers play a central role in aircraft upkeep, customer service on board, ground operations, and supporting corporate functions.
The announcement was issued from Montréal and highlighted Air Canada’s role as Canada’s largest airline and the country’s flag carrier, as well as a founding member of Star Alliance. No additional operational or financial guidance accompanied the labour update.
Key Takeaways
- 01Air Canada and IAMAW have moved from negotiation to a tentative deal, but the agreement remains conditional on union and board approvals.
- 02The covered workforce spans critical operational and administrative roles, indicating the agreement’s importance for the airline’s day to day functioning.
- 03Lack of disclosed financial or contractual details limits insight into the agreement’s economic impact, keeping attention on the upcoming ratification process.
References
- https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/06/14/tmt-newswire/globenewswire/air-canada-and-the-iamaw-reach-tentative-agreement-on-new-contract/2364973
- https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/06/14/3311421/0/en/Air-Canada-and-the-IAMAW-Reach-Tentative-Agreement-on-New-Contract.html
- https://weeklyvoice.com/air-canada-and-the-iamaw-reach-tentative-agreement-on-new-contract/