Air Canada halts restart after union defies order

Air Canada suspends restart plans after flight attendants defy a government-directed return to work, prolonging a high-stakes labor clash during peak travel season.

Air Canada halts restart plan after union defies return directive

Air Canada said it would pause plans to restart operations on Sunday after the flight attendants union told members to defy a return to work order. The Canada Industrial Relations Board had ordered staff back by 2 p.m. local time, prompting Air Canada to stall its planned evening restart. The disruption adds to a travel bottleneck that had already affected about 130,000 travelers daily during the peak summer period. Passengers at Toronto’s Pearson airport voiced frustration as flights remained unavailable and alternative routes were sought.

The union, CUPE, argues the process is unfair and has signaled it will challenge the directive. Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said the government is monitoring the situation and underscored that the CIRB is an independent tribunal. The airline extended the existing collective agreement while arbitration decides a new deal, while the two sides remain far apart on pay and unpaid workload flown when aircraft are on the ground. Air Canada had offered a 38 percent, four-year package, which the union says does not sufficiently reflect inflation, pushing talks toward a government-backed arbitration route.

The episode tests how Canada balances public travel needs with workers’ rights in a tense bargaining climate. Government intervention signals a willingness to enforce essential-airline operations, yet the confrontation risks alienating travelers and stirring political debate about labor power and economic stability. The clash may set a precedent for future disputes in critical sectors, especially when peak-season disruption is in play. The outcome could influence investor sentiment and the airline’s long-term reputation as a reliable carrier for customers and employees alike.

Highlights

The road ahead will test both sides as the arbitrator weighs the best path to restore service and stabilize travel