Air Canada’s plans to resume operations were thrown into disarray on August 17, 2025, as the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing over 10,000 flight attendants, defiantly rejected a federal back-to-work order. The strike, which began at 12:58 a.m. EDT on August 16, has disrupted travel for approximately 130,000 passengers daily, including 25,000 Canadians stranded abroad, during the peak summer travel season.
The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), acting on orders from Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu, mandated that flight attendants return to work by 2 p.m. EDT on August 17, extending the expired collective agreement until a new one is finalized through binding arbitration. However, CUPE’s national president, Mark Hancock, declared outside Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, “Our members are not going back to work. We are saying no.” The union labeled the CIRB’s order “unconstitutional,” citing a conflict of interest involving CIRB chair Maryse Tremblay, a former Air Canada legal counsel from 1998 to 2004.
Air Canada, which operates around 700 flights daily, announced it would delay resuming flights until Monday evening, August 18, after canceling 240 scheduled flights on Sunday alone. The airline accused CUPE of “illegally” directing its members to defy the CIRB order, warning that stabilizing the schedule could take seven to ten days. Flights operated by Air Canada Express, managed by third-party carriers Jazz and PAL Airlines, remain unaffected, covering about 20% of the airline’s capacity.
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The strike, the first by Air Canada flight attendants since 1985, stems from an eight-month contract dispute centered on wages and unpaid work during non-flight hours, such as safety checks and passenger assistance. Air Canada’s latest offer—a 38% increase in total compensation over four years, including an 8% raise in the first year—was rejected by CUPE, which argued it failed to address inflation’s impact. “We are heartbroken for our passengers, but we cannot work for free,” said Natasha Stea, president of CUPE’s Montreal-based Local 4091, highlighting that 70% of flight attendants are women and questioning gender disparities in pay compared to pilots.
The federal government’s intervention, invoking Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, has sparked controversy. Hajdu justified the move, citing economic risks and U.S. tariffs, but CUPE accused her of “crushing flight attendants’ Charter rights” by siding with Air Canada. The union plans to challenge the order legally, pointing to past instances where defying back-to-work orders led to significant penalties, such as the 1978 jailing of a postal union leader. However, labor expert Adam King suggested CUPE’s defiance could rally broader union support, potentially forcing concessions.
Passengers are facing significant disruptions, with Air Canada offering full refunds or limited rebooking options on other airlines, constrained by the summer travel peak. Travelers like Keelin Pringnitz, stranded in London, expressed frustration at inadequate alternatives, such as offers to reroute through the U.S. without further assistance. Montreal resident Alex Laroche, whose $8,000 European trip is in jeopardy, voiced sympathy for the attendants’ wage concerns after initially opposing the strike.
CUPE has maintained picket lines at major airports, including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary, with planned protests in Halifax, Ottawa, and Winnipeg. The union invited Air Canada back to the negotiating table, but Hancock criticized the airline for refusing to bargain in good faith, alleging it relied on government intervention. Air Canada expressed regret for the impact on customers and urged passengers to avoid airports unless holding confirmed tickets on other carriers.
As the standoff continues, the strike’s ripple effects threaten Canada’s travel industry and economy, with no clear timeline for resolution. The defiance of the back-to-work order marks a bold stand by CUPE, setting the stage for a contentious legal and labor battle.
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