More than 98% of the 5,400 Air Canada pilots represented by the Airline Pilots Association Int'l union have voted in favour of striking, if needed, to achieve a new contractual agreement with Air Canada. 

In a statement released on Thursday, the union explained that "management continues to force us closer to a strike position by not listening to our needs at the negotiating table regarding fair compensation, respectable retirement benefits, and quality-of-life improvements." 

The current contract between pilots and Air Canada was negotiated in 2014. The union says that the pilots work under pay rates and quality-of-life provisions that reflect the needs of workers from almost a decade ago. 

The ALPA has been negotiating with Air Canada since June 2023. The process will come to a stop on August 26, followed by a 21-day cooling period. 

Air Canada pilots will be able to strike in mid-September if no agreement is reached.