Air Canada flight attendants' union serves 72-hour strike notice

The union representing around 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants has signalled its intent to strike Saturday.

Flight attendants have issued 72-hour strike notice and could walk off the job at 12:58 a.m. ET on Saturday if a deal isn't reached to avoid a work stoppage.

In an update posted online, the union said it has made progress on some items during its contract talks, but has been unable to reach a deal.

The Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees said its move was followed by a lockout notice issued by Air Canada.

On Tuesday, Air Canada said it had reached an impasse with the union as the two sides remained far apart in contract talks.

The union has said its main sticking points revolve around what it calls flight attendants' “poverty wages” and unpaid labour when planes aren't in the air.

"Despite our best efforts, Air Canada refused to address our core issues," the union said in a bargaining update post online.

The union rejected a proposal from the airline to enter a binding arbitration process, saying it prefers to negotiate a deal that its members can then vote on.

Air Canada says that if there are cancellations, it will notify customers via email and text message in advance of their travel, and they will be eligible for a full refund.