The union representing Air Canada's flight attendants has signalled that its members intend to go on strike this weekend, paving the way for workers to walk off the job as early as Saturday morning.

Air Canada flight attendants rejected the airline's proposal for binding arbitration on Tuesday and continued direct talks, the Canadian Union of Public Employees said on Tuesday.

There’s no word yet whether Air Canada and the union representing some 10,000 of its flight attendants have averted a possible strike or lockout that could begin as soon as Saturday.