Air Canada and the union representing its flight attendants are resuming negotiations today to prevent a potential strike. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents about 10,000 flight attendants, announced that talks will continue after its members voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike mandate.

The vote, which concluded on Tuesday, showed 99.7 percent support for the possibility of a strike. If an agreement is not reached, flight attendants could walk off the job as early as August 16 at 12:01 a.m., provided they give at least 72 hours' notice.

Air Canada has stated that it is not currently considering flight cancellations or delays, emphasizing its commitment to reaching a deal before the deadline. A spokesperson for the airline noted that a strike mandate vote is a standard part of the negotiation process.

CUPE expressed optimism about avoiding a work stoppage but is awaiting Air Canada's response to its proposals. The union is seeking higher wages and compensation for unpaid labor, particularly for time spent on essential safety checks and assisting passengers.

Negotiations between the two parties have been ongoing since the beginning of the year. The strike mandate vote followed a conciliation process that did not result in an agreement.

Air Canada has proposed a wage increase of over 30 percent over four years and has agreed to compensate flight attendants for some time spent on the ground. In contrast, flight attendants argue that they are not compensated for critical tasks performed during flights.

The union's negotiations with Air Canada are set to continue today, as both sides aim to reach a resolution before the potential strike date.