Ottawa —

Air Canada is preparing to lock out its flight attendants who voted to go on strike this weekend. Travel disruptions could start Thursday and could continue until a deal is reached.

The airline said it would suspend operations on Saturday and could remain shut down till a deal is reached.

The union, represented nationally by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, gave a strike notice according to the airline, which triggered a 72-hour lockout notice by Air Canada effective Aug. 16. Nearly all members, 99.7% of the membership voted to strike, the union said.

“For the past nine months, we have put forward solid, data-driven proposals on wages and unpaid work, all rooted in fairness and industry standards,” said Wesley Lesosky, president of the Air Canada Component of CUPE. “A

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