Air Canada and the union representing 10,000 striking flight attendants will hold discussions on Monday night with a mediator, the union said in a statement.

The Canadian carrier said it expects to call off 500 flights by the end of Friday. Air Canada said it was suspending its schedule and trying to get passengers booked with other airlines to limit disruptions.

Air Canada wants to reinforce the gender wage gap by forcing Air Canada flight attendants – 70% of whom identify as women – to accept a wage offer less than one-third what Air Canada offered its pilots less than a year ago.

Air Canada on Monday withdrew its third quarter and full-year earnings guidance due to a disruption in operations after its flight attendants went on strike.