Air Canada Facing Strike at Midnight

Nearly 4,000 employees could walk off the job, snarling service during one of the busiest times of the year.

Air Canada's ticket agents and call-centre workers could hit the picket lines at midnight tonight if they can't come to an agreement with their employer over wages and pensions. About 3,800 airline employees represented by the Canadian Auto Workers union will strike if today's last-minute negotiations aren't fruitful. Air Canada has said that, if the strike takes place, the airline will continue with flights as scheduled, with managers filling in for the striking service reps at check-in booths and the like. If that happens, the airline is advising customers to check in online and expect long lineups to check baggage.