Air Canada strike persists as flight attendants defy government return-to-work order

Ongoing Strike by Air Canada Flight Attendants Disrupts Operations

Air Canada flight attendants continued their strike on Sunday, disregarding a government labor board’s directive to return to work. This action has significantly disrupted the airline's operations and forced it to delay its plans for resuming service. The walkout began shortly after 1 a.m. on Saturday, leading to the grounding of most of the airline's 700 daily flights and leaving over 100,000 passengers stranded.

The airline had initially planned to restart its services on Sunday evening but had to cancel these plans after the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) encouraged its members to ignore the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) order to return to work. In a press release, Air Canada stated that approximately 240 flights scheduled to operate in the afternoon were now canceled.

Demands for Better Pay and Working Conditions

Unionized Air Canada flight attendants set up picket lines at major airports, advocating for improved pay and working conditions. CUPE, representing more than 10,000 flight attendants, highlighted that its members are only paid when an aircraft is in motion—from pushback to arrival—and do not receive compensation for boarding, deplaning, or ground delays.

The Canadian government intervened on Saturday, requesting the CIRB to impose binding arbitration. The board issued the order, which the union opposed. Under Canadian labor law, the government can ask the CIRB to impose binding arbitration to protect the economy. The government now has the option to seek a court order to enforce compliance or request an expedited hearing.

Union’s Stance on Unpaid Work

The labor union is demanding full compensation for this unpaid ground time. CUPE provided a statement to FOX Business regarding its decision to continue the strike. The union criticized the government's order as unconstitutional, claiming it violates the Charter rights of 10,517 flight attendants, 70% of whom are women. They emphasized that all flight attendants are required to work for free for hours every day.

"We invite Air Canada back to the table to negotiate a fair deal, rather than relying on the federal government to do their dirty work for them when bargaining gets a little bit tough," the union stated.

No Bargaining Sessions Scheduled

Wesley Lesosky, president of the Air Canada component of CUPE, mentioned in a press conference in Toronto that there were no scheduled bargaining sessions between the two sides, which have been engaged in on-and-off negotiations for months. "We are here because Air Canada forces us to work for free for hours and hours every day, and we are here because we are not going to accept it anymore," he said.

Air Canada’s Compensation Offer

Air Canada claims its package offers an overall compensation increase of 38% over four years. However, the union argues that the company is only offering 50% pay for ground duties such as boarding and deplaning, not full hourly wages. The airline asserts that its offer would make Air Canada flight attendants the best compensated in Canada. Currently, cabin crew earn up to $17 more per hour than their counterparts at the company’s largest domestic competitor.

According to Air Canada, hourly rates would rise as high as 94 Canadian dollars ($69 U.S.) in the first year, reflecting a 12% to 16% increase that includes an 8% boost to base wages and another 4% to 8% through a new ground pay formula. By 2027, senior flight attendants would earn an average of 87,000 Canadian dollars ($63,000 U.S.) a year, with about 20% making 90,000 Canadian dollars ($65,700 U.S.) or more.

Impact on Passengers and Travel Plans

Air Canada remains committed to negotiating a renewal of its collective agreement with CUPE. The airline is advising affected customers not to go to the airport unless they have a confirmed ticket on an airline other than Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge. For those with canceled flights, Air Canada will offer options including a full refund or a credit for future travel. The carrier will also assist in rebooking customers on other carriers, although capacity is limited due to the peak summer travel season.