Air Canada strike continues after government order

More than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants continue their strike even after a government back-to-work directive.

Air Canada flight attendants press on with strike despite government back-to-work directive

More than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants voted 99.7% to strike and began walkouts around 1 a.m. ET on Saturday. The walkout comes despite a government move under Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to direct the company and workers to resume operations and end the disruption. The union said there is no obligation to be in contact with the employer during a lockout, a point it has used to frame the conflict as a stand for worker rights. Air Canada had asked the government to step in, and Ottawa issued a directive aimed at restoring service to protect the economy and travelers.

Air Canada has signaled it will restart flights, arguing that it has offered a sizable compensation package. The company said its proposal includes a 38 percent increase in total compensation over four years and a first-year raise of 12 to 16 percent. The union, led by Wesley Lesosky, argues that the state is failing to protect workers’ rights and points to strong profits at the airline as evidence of a power imbalance. The clash now appears to shift toward arbitration, a path the government says is necessary to break the deadlock and secure reliable service for Canadians.

The dispute tests how Canada balances workers’ rights with national interests during a crunch for essential services. Government intervention signals a willingness to shield the economy from disruption, but it also risks feeding the perception that workers have fewer protections when employers are profitable. The debate centers on wage demands, pay for time planes are grounded, and the broader question of what counts as fair compensation in an industry riding high on profits.

Beyond the airport gates, the case raises questions for other sectors facing strikes: how far should the state go to enforce industrial peace, and how quickly should arbitration replace bargaining? Public sentiment will matter as travelers navigate delays and as investors assess the risks tied to labor costs and operational reliability. The outcome could redefine how Canada handles similar disputes in the future.

Highlights

The battle lines are drawn, and the next moves will set a precedent for how Canada treats essential services under pressure.