The labour impasse over Air Canada flight attendants’ wages will move straight to arbitration as the union presses to bring closure to the dispute after workers almost unanimously rejected a tentative agreement.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees’ Air Canada component (CUPE) told the Star on Tuesday that after nine months of bargaining, it saw “no evidence” that the employer would offer a deal members could support during another three days of mediation.

“The union is therefore seeking an expedited process that will put money in our members’ pockets and conclude this process as quickly as possible,” said Hugh Pouliot, the spokesperson for CUPE.

On Sept. 7, 99 per cent of flight attendants voted down a proposed wage package that included total pay raises of 16 to 20 per cent, while o

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