Air Canada flight attendants strike continues

The union for 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants vows to keep striking despite a government order to return to work, extending disruption to peak travel season.

Air Canada flight attendants strike continues

The Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered Air Canada staff back to work by 2 p.m. local time after federal intervention as the airline said it would resume flights later in the day. The union representing 10,000 flight attendants said it will challenge the order, declaring that the strike remains ongoing. The disruption has already stranded tens of thousands of travelers and forced the airline to cancel hundreds of flights as it works to stabilize schedules in the coming days. Air Canada reported that about 700 flights operate daily, with cancellations rising to several hundred in the week as it aims to rebalance operations.

Federal Labour Minister Patty Hajdu argued the government must act to protect the economy, describing the move as a way to prevent broader damage from the walkout. The government extended the existing collective agreement term as arbitration is pursued to set terms for a new contract. The stoppage follows months of tense talks over pay and unpaid work performed when planes are on the ground. Industry groups such as the Business Council of Canada welcomed government involvement, while some critics question the balance between workers’ rights and business resilience. The disruption has reverberated beyond Canada, as carriers adjust routes and other carriers fill gaps, though capacity is tight during the summer peak.

This fight highlights a broader tension between labor rights and national economic interests. Government intervention signals a willingness to defend essential transport links, but it also risks weakening union bargaining power if the public blames workers for travel chaos. The decision to extend the collective agreement while arbitration unfolds creates a potential pathway to a deal, yet it may leave workers feeling they have been pressed into interim concessions. The case shines a light on how Canada navigates disruptions when travelers depend on reliable air service and when inflation pressures temper wage demands.

Highlights

The outcome will test how policymakers and unions balance economic needs with the dignity of workers.