On approach, a strike at Air Canada

TORONTO, June 13 (UPI) -- President of the Canadian Auto Workers Union Ken Lewenza said talks with Air Canada were progressing slowly Monday, the day before a scheduled strike.

"I'm feeling better than I did yesterday," the Toronto Star quoted Lewenza as saying.

With a strike of check-in clerks and call center staff scheduled to begin at midnight, "The company is starting to gradually look at our issues seriously," Lewenza said.

The union is fighting a possible 40 percent reduction in pension benefits. It is also negotiating for wage increases after accepting wage freezes in the past.

The company has also proposed a two-tiered pension plan, starting new hires with a defined contribution plan that the union opposes.

The union would prefer to keep all 3,800 union members on a defined benefit plan, the newspaper said.

Air Canada's executive vice president Duncan Dee said in a statement the airline was working to avoid a strike.

The airline has also said it would keep flying through a strike.

"We do anticipate that lines at kiosks will be longer," the airline said, encouraging passengers to check in earlier than usual.

The airline also said, "We encourage you to avoid checking baggage if at all possible."