The union representing 10,000 striking Air Canada flight attendants announced on Sunday that it will contest an order demanding they return to work, insisting that “we remain on strike.” This order came from the Canada Industrial Relations Board, which directed airline staff to resume work by 2 p.m. Sunday after government intervention. Air Canada also stated plans to restart flights that evening.
In a statement, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) called the order “blatantly unconstitutional” and emphasized their ongoing strike, demanding a fair negotiated contract and compensation for all hours worked.
The strike has disrupted travel plans for over 100,000 passengers worldwide during the busy summer season. Air Canada said early Sunday that flights would resume later in the day, but it will take several days for operations to normalize. Some flights are expected to be canceled over the next week to ten days as the airline works to stabilize its schedule.
Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu ordered flight attendants back to work less than 12 hours after the strike began, citing economic risks and referencing the unprecedented U.S. tariffs on Canada. Hajdu referred the dispute to the Canada Industrial Relations Board, which has extended the current collective agreement until an arbitrator reaches a new deal.
Air Canada, the country’s largest airline, operates around 700 flights daily, and the shutdown has affected about 130,000 travelers each day. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, 671 Air Canada flights were canceled by Saturday afternoon, following 199 cancellations on Friday. Additionally, 96 flights scheduled for Sunday were already suspended.
The contract dispute intensified after the union rejected Air Canada’s request for government-mandated arbitration, which would allow a third party to set new contract terms. Flight attendants walked off the job early Saturday morning, and shortly after, Air Canada announced plans to lock flight attendants out of airports.
Last year, the government forced major railroads into arbitration amid labor disputes, a move currently being challenged by the rail union, which argues the government is undermining union negotiation power. Business groups like the Business Council of Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce supported government intervention in the Air Canada dispute.
Minister Hajdu clarified that the government is not anti-union but believes both parties have reached an impasse.
Passengers affected by canceled flights can request full refunds through Air Canada’s website or mobile app. The airline will also try to offer alternative travel options through other Canadian and international carriers, though immediate rebooking may be difficult due to peak summer travel demand.
Contract talks between Air Canada and CUPE have been ongoing for about eight months with no tentative agreement yet. Both sides remain divided, especially regarding pay and compensation for flight attendants’ unpaid work when planes are grounded.
Air Canada’s latest offer proposed a 38% increase in total compensation, including benefits and pensions, over four years, which the airline said would make its flight attendants the highest-paid in Canada. However, the union rejected the offer, arguing the initial 8% raise in the first year was insufficient given inflation.
Also Read:
Air Canada to Start Flight Cancellations Ahead of Potential Flight Attendant Strike
Sha’Carri Richardson Arrested at Washington Airport in Alleged Domestic Violence Incident
