MONTREAL, May 20, 2011 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada confirmed it is business as usual for the airline and that its customers can continue to book Air Canada flights with confidence, following the announcement today of results of a vote by members of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union which gave union leadership a strike mandate if an agreement is not reached.

In the event of a strike, Air Canada will maintain a full operation and implement a contingency service plan at airports and call centres to minimize impact on customers.

Air Canada is however confident that there is sufficient time for the parties to reach an agreement before the CAW's announced deadline of June 13, 2011. Talks are set to resume May 24, 2011.

At the request of the CAW, a federal conciliator was appointed March 24, 2011 to facilitate a negotiated settlement. The CAW's collective agreement expired on February 28, 2011. The CAW represents approximately 4,000 Customer Service and Sales Agents employed by Air Canada.

The airline will provide further updates as developments warrant.

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international full-service airline providing scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 175 destinations on five continents.  Canada's flag carrier is the 15th largest commercial airline in the world and serves 33 million customers annually. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance.  For more information on Air Canada visit aircanada.com. Follow @AirCanada on Twitter and Facebook.

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