Air Canada could face a strike by its flight attendants if a deal is not reached by Aug. 16 Photo by Postmedia

MONTREAL — Air Canada flight attendants have voted to give their union a strike mandate.

The Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees says members voted 99.7 per cent in favour.

The mandate does not mean that a strike is guaranteed, only that union members support the measure if the bargaining team decides to call for a work stoppage.

The vote kicked off July 28 and finished earlier Tuesday, after the airline and union concluded the conciliation process without reaching a deal.

The two sides have been in contract talks since the start of the year.

The union, which represents around 10,000 flight attendants, has pointed to key outstanding issues in

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