Protests disrupt Air Canada news conference as weekend strikes loom closer

The dispute between Air Canada and its flight attendants appeared to take a new turn Thursday after unionized cabin workers stormed the airline’s press conference.

Air Canada officials said dozens of flights were scheduled to be canceled after Thursday night, and up to 500 more by Friday.

As they were answering questions about the state of negotiations, they then cut the presser short when the union members stormed the room, carrying signs about their lack of pay.

“It’s really unfortunate that we are not allowing reporters here to do their job and ask the questions,” said an Air Canada media officer.

Most of the union members stood at the side of the stage in silence, holding their signs. One of them read “unfair Canada.”

It’s the latest sign that both sides remain far apart in contract talks, with workers expected to strike Saturday at around 1 a.m., and the airline planning for a lockout.

READ MORE: Some Air Canada flights are being cancelled today as clock ticks toward work stoppage

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) represents roughly 10,000 flight attendants who are demanding higher wages relative to inflation and paid labour, when planes aren’t in the air.

Air Canada maintains it has offered an industry-best: a 38 per cent total compensation bump over four years.

The union argues the proposal is “misleading” adding that it doesn’t meet their wage demands.

“That’s not wage, that’s not in my pocket, that’s not bringing me out of poverty, that’s also not assisting me with food,” said Wesley Lesosky, the president of the CUPE Air Canada component. “That [offer] is paying me a very small fraction of the unpaid work that we do.”

“We just want to be heard, that’s all,” said Natasha Stea, the Montreal representative for flight attendants. “We want to be seen, we want to be heard, we want to be valued for the work that we do.”

“How airline salaries work, generally, is that everything progresses with seniority,” said Arielle Meloul, the executive vice president of Air Canada. “Entry wages is one thing, but in 10 years, a flight attendant is making roughly $70,000 – a service director is making more than that.”

“On top of that, you have our increase offer of 38 per cent, so that’s what has been going on at the table,” said Meloul.

Meanwhile, Air Canada has also asked the federal government to direct the union to binding arbitration, through the National Labour Code.

Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu confirmed the request Thursday, but would not indicate if Ottawa would intervene.

She did ask the union to try and reach an agreement, and that federal mediators would be available to assist.

CUPE fired back, accusing the Carney government for siding with the company.

WATCH MORE: Air Canada cancelling flights after attendants give 72-hour strike notice