Air Canada customer agents serve strike notice (Reuters)

VANCOUVER (Reuters) – The union representing customer service and ticket sales agents at Air Canada Inc on Friday gave the airline 72 hours notice of a strike after negotiators failed to agree on a new labor contract.

The Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union, which represents 3,800 employees at airports and call centers across Canada, said its members will walk off the job at 11:59 pm EDT on Monday unless an agreement can be reached before then.

"After 10 weeks of negotiations, there are still a number of important issues halting progress at the bargaining table, such as demands for dramatic cuts to the pension plan...," the CAW said in a statement.

Air Canada, the country's biggest carrier, said in a statement it continues to work toward a deal with the union but has a contingency plan to continue "operating a full schedule" and minimize disruptions for customers.

Air Canada is in labor talks with five of its unions, including its pilots, flight attendants and maintenance workers, after their contracts expired earlier this year.

(Reporting by Nicole Mordant; Editing by Paul Simao)

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Openly gay sailor can continue to serve

A copy of a "don't ask, don't tell" study shown at a Pentagon briefing in November in Arlington, Virginia. STORY HIGHLIGHTSPanel's vote believed to be first case in which military chose not to enforce DADT policy Three-person panel voted unanimously that Derek Morado not be discharged"This is the first hearing that's resulted in a retention" said Robin McGehee of Get Equal (CNN) -- Gay rights advocates claimed victory Saturday after an administrative panel in California this week recommended not to discharge an openly homosexual sailor.

Although "don't ask, don't tell" is not repealed, the panel's vote is believed to be the first case in which the military chose not to enforce the controversial policy, according to a gay rights organization.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Derek Morado, 26, was facing military discharge after a comrade reported that he saw photos posted of the gay serviceman on Myspace kissing another man.

"I'm relieved it's over and I'm glad I get to continue serving," Morado told CNN on Saturday. "I've had plenty of time for the news to digest, but I'm still so relieved. I just want to continue doing what I have been doing

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