The union representing Air Canada pilots says the company’s “corporate greed” is what’s holding up successful contract negotiations between the two sides, with the Air Line Pilots Association claiming Monday that Air Canada “continues to post record profits while expecting pilots to accept below-market compensation.”

“Air Canada should stop threatening to disrupt air travel and come to the bargaining table with serious proposals,” said Charlene Hudy, head of the union’s Air Canada contingent, in a statement.

Air Canada chief executive Michael Rousseau countered on Monday that the union’s wage demands were “excessive” and were likely to lead to a strike or lockout as early as Sept. 18, though he added, “Air Canada believes there is still time to reach an agreement with our pilot group, provided ALPA moderates its wage demands which far exceed average Canadian wage increases.”

Air Canada said a tentative agreement has been reached on a large number of items during the more than yearlong contract talks, but wages remain a key sticking point.

The ALPA, which represents more than 5,200 pilots at Air Canada, is pushing to see salaries align closer to what pilots in the US make after some steep raises recently.

Following new contracts between the four biggest US airlines and their pilots over the past 18 months, some flight crews earn roughly double what their counterparts at Air Canada make, the ALPA has said. United Airlines secured up to 40% wage increases over four years, while WestJet pilots secured a 24% pay bump.

According to a source close the bargaining table, Air Canada is offering a 30% pay hike over four years, plus improvements to benefits. The source said pilots are asking for pay hikes of between 30 and 60%.

The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors (ACTA) last week called on the federal government to help find a resolution to avert another significant challenge facing the travel industry.