Air Canada strike ends with tentative deal

Air Canada and the union representing 10 000 flight attendants reached a tentative agreement to end a strike and restart operations.

Air Canada Ends Flight Attendants Strike With Tentative Deal

Air Canada and the flight attendants union reached a tentative agreement to end the weekend strike that disrupted travel for hundreds of thousands of customers. The deal covers about 10 000 attendants and includes pay for time planes are on the ground, addressing one of the main issues that sparked the stoppage. The carrier says flights will resume gradually and full service could take seven to ten days as schedules stabilize. Air Canada operates around 700 flights per day and faced cancellations that affected roughly 500 000 customers over the period.

Mediation helped bridge gaps after talks resumed late Monday. The Canada Industrial Relations Board had ordered the strike back, but the union defied the directive and continued the work stoppage. The government has used a tool to push workers toward arbitration in recent years, a move that remains controversial with some labor leaders. Passengers affected can seek refunds through the airline app or website.

The settlement shows workers leveraging a credible threat to disrupt peak travel to gain leverage in wage and work condition negotiations. It also highlights the government role in labor disputes, using arbitration to resolve conflicts more quickly. If members approve the deal, the strike will shift into a ratification process that tests trust on both sides after a tense standstill. If the vote fails, travelers could face more disruption and the airline may restart negotiations under pressure again. The episode raises broader questions about how quickly authorities should intervene in labor fights that affect essential services.

Highlights

The next steps will test the deal as members vote on the terms and a smoother travel season resumes.