Union leaders representing 10,000 striking flight attendants have declared their intention to resist a back-to-work order from the Canadian federal government. This strike has significantly disrupted operations at Air Canada, particularly during the peak summer travel season, impacting hundreds of flights and leaving travelers stranded.
Mark Hancock, the national president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, emphasized the union’s commitment to advocating for fair wages through negotiation rather than government intervention. He indicated that members are prepared to remain on strike, asserting that they wish to ensure workers can adequately support their families.
The flight attendants initiated the strike after lengthy negotiations with Air Canada over wage disputes reached an impasse. Prior to the strike, Air Canada warned that it could affect approximately 130,000 passengers daily.
In response to the strike, Canada’s jobs minister, Patty Hajdu, implemented binding arbitration, a move criticized by the union as unconstitutional. She noted that negotiations were stagnant and expressed the need for an arbitrator to facilitate a resolution. While Air Canada hoped to resume flights shortly after the strike commenced, the union indicated it would disregard the government’s return-to-work order.
Hancock and other union representatives expressed concerns that the government’s actions undermine workers’ rights. They accused the ruling Liberal party of failing to uphold its commitment to negotiation. In the wake of the situation, the industrial relations board supported the government’s directive for workers to return to their duties immediately, warning of potential legal consequences for non-compliance.
The strike is projected to have severe financial implications for Air Canada, with significant daily losses anticipated. The prime minister remarked on the importance of fair compensation for flight attendants and expressed disappointment regarding the stalled contract negotiations.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/18/air-canada-flight-attendants-strike-illegal