MONTREAL, -Air Canada flight attendants are heading back to the bargaining table with the airline on Friday, after overwhelmingly approving a strike mandate this week that could allow them to walk off the job as early as August 16, their union said on Wednesday.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents more than 10,000 flight attendants at the country's largest carrier, would need to give 72 hours' notice before initiating any strike.  Both sides have said they prefer resolving flight attendants' demands for higher pay through a negotiated settlement. 

Air Canada ( ACDVF ) was not immediately available for comment on Wednesday. The Montreal-based carrier has said that there is enough time to reach a settlement and avert a possible strike.