The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which
represents 10,000 of Air Canada’s cabin crew has defied government orders
to end its labor strike, which has grounded Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights
since Saturday—after forcing the carriers to wind down flights on Aug. 14 and 15.
Air Canada planned to resume flights on Sunday after the Canadian
Industrial Relations Board acted on a directive of the Canada Labour Code from
the federal minister of jobs and families that ordered the end to the strike by
CUPE. The carrier has since issued a statement that the union "illegally directed its
flight attendant members to defy a direction from the Canadian
Industrial Relations Board."
The CIRB directed employees to return to work and flights to
resume by 2 p.m. EDT Aug. 17. The Board further ordered that the term of the
collective agreement between Air Canada and CUPE that expired on March 31,
2025, be extended to include the period beginning April 1 and ending on the day
on which the new collective agreement between the parties comes into effect,
according to Air Canada. The CIRB also imposed final binding arbitration to
resolve the outstanding terms of the collective agreement.
CUPE said the Canadian government had caved to
"corporate pressure" and done "incalculable damage" to
workers' rights by siding with Air Canada.
"This is absolutely shameful and a blatant
betrayal," CUPE national secretary-treasurer Candace Rennick said in a
statement. "The government's decision to intervene on behalf of an already
wildly profitable employer, while a predominantly female workforce fights tooth
and nail for a path out of poverty, is not just unjust, it's a disgraceful
misuse of power that reeks of systemic bias and corporate favoritism."
CUPE later the same day refused to end the strike. According to the Associated Press, CUPE national president Mark Hancock tore up a copy of the back-to-work order while standing outside Toronto's Pearson International Airport. "Our members are not going back to work. We are saying no," he announced. He also said flight attendants will not return Tuesday.
The group is fighting for better wages for flight attendants, which
would include wages for duties that are performed while planes are on
the ground, such as boarding passengers. Currently, Air Canada
attendants are paid only for duties performed during
flight times.
Air Canada issued
a lockout and began to cancel flights on Aug. 14, with operations ceasing
by Saturday after CUPE filed a strike notice on Aug. 13 when negotiations
between the union and carrier came to a standstill.
Because of the full shutdown, aircraft and crews are
"out of position vis-à-vis the schedule," Air Canada said in a
statement prior to CUPE's refusal to follow the government directive. The carrier warned it could take seven to 10 days to stabilize once flights resume and passengers should expect cancellations during that time.
Air Canada released information on Sunday that it will offer passengers with cancelled flights options, including obtaining a full refund or receiving
a credit for future travel. The carrier will also offer to rebook customers on
other carriers, although capacity is currently limited.
Air Canada Express flights
operated by Jazz or PAL continue to operate as normal.
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Canada to Suspend Flights After Cabin Crew Strike Notice