Air Canada Aims to Resume Services as Union Reports Flight Attendants Still on Strike

Air Canada Flight Attendants Continue Strike Despite Government Order

The union representing 10,000 striking Air Canada flight attendants has announced it will challenge an order requiring them to return to work. The union emphasized that the strike is ongoing and that its members are still refusing to report for duty.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board issued a directive for airline staff to return by 2 p.m. on Sunday after government intervention. Air Canada stated that it planned to resume flights on Sunday evening. However, the union, known as CUPE, rejected the order, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional.” In a statement, the union reiterated its commitment to the strike and called for a fair, negotiated contract, as well as compensation for all hours worked.

The strike has caused significant disruptions, stranding more than 100,000 travelers worldwide during the busy summer travel season. Air Canada reported that the first flights would resume later in the day but warned that it could take several days for operations to return to normal. The airline also mentioned that some flights would be canceled over the next seven to 10 days until the schedule stabilizes.

Less than 12 hours after workers walked off the job, federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu ordered the 10,000 flight attendants back to work. She cited concerns about the economy and the impact of new U.S. tariffs on Canada. Hajdu referred the work stoppage to the Canada Industrial Relations Board, which extended the term of the existing collective agreement until a new one was determined by an arbitrator.

The shutdown of Canada’s largest airline, which began early on Saturday, affected around 130,000 people daily. Air Canada operates approximately 700 flights per day. According to aviation analytics provider Cirium, the airline had canceled 671 flights by Saturday afternoon, following 199 cancellations on Friday. An additional 96 flights scheduled for Sunday were already suspended.

The contract dispute escalated on Friday when the union rejected Air Canada’s request to enter into government-directed arbitration. This process involves a third-party mediator deciding the terms of a new contract. Flight attendants walked off the job at around 1 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Saturday. Shortly after, Air Canada began locking flight attendants out of airports.

Minister Hajdu clarified that her Liberal government is not anti-union and acknowledged that both sides are at an impasse. She emphasized the need to avoid risks to the economy during this time.

Passengers whose flights were impacted by the strike can request full refunds through Air Canada’s website or mobile app. The airline also said it would offer alternative travel options via other Canadian and foreign airlines where possible. However, it warned that immediate rebooking might not be guaranteed due to high demand during the summer travel peak.

Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees have been engaged in contract negotiations for about eight months without reaching a tentative deal. Both parties remain far apart on key issues, particularly regarding pay and the unpaid work flight attendants perform when planes are not in the air.

Air Canada’s latest offer included a 38% increase in total compensation, including benefits and pensions, over four years. The airline claimed this would make its flight attendants the best compensated in Canada. However, the union criticized the proposal, arguing that an 8% raise in the first year did not adequately address inflationary pressures.