Air Canada’s operations remain at a standstill as the union representing over 10,000 flight attendants continues to defy a government-issued back-to-work order. The strike, now entering its third day, has caused massive travel disruptions across the country, leaving an estimated half a million passengers stranded and sparking a national debate over labor rights, government intervention, and corporate responsibility.
On Monday, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), an independent federal tribunal, ruled that the strike by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) was unlawful. The decision came after the federal government issued a back-to-work order over the weekend, requiring all flight attendants to resume duties by noon on Monday.
Despite the ruling, CUPE has made it clear that they have no intention of backing down.
“If Air Canada thinks planes will be flying this afternoon, they’re sorely mistaken,” said Mark Hancock, CUPE’s national president, during a press conference.
The ongoing labor action has resulted in the cancellation of all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights through at least 4:00 PM EDT (21:00 BST) on Tuesday, as stated in an official notice on the airline’s website. Initially, the airline had planned to resume services by Monday evening, but those plans have been abandoned amid the union’s continued resistance.
The strike, which began on Saturday, stems from ongoing frustrations around wages, unpaid labor time, and working conditions. Flight attendants are calling for higher pay and compensation for time spent working on the ground, including during boarding and aircraft preparation.
Air Canada, for its part, claims it has already made a generous offer. The company stated that its most recent proposal includes a 38% increase in total compensation over four years, with a 25% raise in the first year. CUPE has rejected this offer outright, calling it “insulting.”
Air Canada Flights Remain Grounded as Flight Attendant Union Defies Back-to-Work Order
“This proposal is below inflation, below market value, and even below minimum wage when you account for the unpaid hours our members are expected to work,” said Candace Rennick, CUPE’s national secretary-treasurer. She emphasized that many flight attendants, the majority of whom are women, have endured long-standing workplace inequalities.
While the federal government attempted to intervene with an order for binding arbitration on Saturday, the union responded by urging its members to ignore the directive, accusing the government of yielding to corporate interests.
“We do not want to be here,” Rennick told reporters on Monday. “But we’ve been forced into this position. Our fight is not with passengers — it’s with a system that undervalues our work and silences our voices.”
The consequences of the strike are rippling beyond airports. Daniel Safayeni, President and CEO of the Federally Regulated Employers – Transportation and Communications (FETCO), condemned the union’s defiance.
“This is not labour relations — it’s a reckless path that undermines the entire system,” Safayeni said. “It erodes trust in the labour process, damages Canada’s international reputation, and puts economic stability at risk during a period of global uncertainty.”
Under Canadian law, unions and individual workers who ignore a back-to-work order may face serious penalties, including fines or even jail time. However, CUPE President Mark Hancock remained resolute.
“If it means folks like me going to jail, then so be it,” Hancock declared. “We will not be bullied into submission. This must be resolved at the bargaining table.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney also weighed in, expressing disappointment that eight months of negotiations had failed to yield an agreement.
“We are in a situation where literally hundreds of thousands of Canadians and visitors to our country are being disrupted by this action,” Carney said from Ottawa on Monday. “I urge both parties to resolve this as quickly as possible.”
Passengers are bearing the brunt of the impasse. Jenny Phelps, a traveler stranded in Toronto, said she supports the flight attendants’ cause but is facing mounting personal costs.
“I’ve had to book three extra hotel nights, and I can’t get through to Air Canada to reschedule,” she told Reuters. “It’s super stressful and very expensive.”
While union leaders apologized for the inconvenience caused to travelers, they emphasized the necessity of their actions.
“Our members have waited far too long for basic fairness,” Rennick said. “This isn’t just about money — it’s about dignity.”
As of now, there is no clear path forward. Both sides remain deeply entrenched, and the strike shows no signs of ending soon. While binding arbitration is still legally in play, CUPE’s public defiance sets a rare precedent in Canadian labor relations and could potentially reshape how future disputes are handled.
In the meantime, hundreds of thousands of travelers remain in limbo, and Canada’s busiest airline continues to sit idle — a powerful symbol of a labor conflict that’s only gaining momentum.
Source- BBC
