(Reuters) -Air Canada ( ACDVF ) pilots voted to authorize a strike, with 98% voting members in favour, the Air Line Pilots Association union said on Thursday.

More than 5,000 pilots represented by the union are pressing for historic gains to narrow a wage gap with higher-paid U.S. counterparts, who secured record contracts in 2023 amid pilot shortages and strong travel demand.

The carrier's pilots started bargaining last summer after ending a decade-long contract framework.

Air Canada ( ACDVF ) did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.