Air Canada Strike Halted: 10,000 Flight Attendants Ordered Back to Work!

The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) ruled on Monday that the ongoing strike by 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), is unlawful, ordering an immediate cessation of strike activities and a return to work.

The decision, issued after a Sunday hearing, follows the union’s defiance of an earlier back-to-work order, grounding Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operations since August 16 and disrupting travel for an estimated 500,000 passengers during the peak summer season.

The CIRB’s directive mandates that CUPE leadership publicly instruct its members to resume duties by noon EDT on Monday, with individual flight attendants also ordered to cease unlawful activities. Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu had invoked Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to refer the dispute to the CIRB, citing economic concerns and recent U.S. tariffs on Canada.

Despite CUPE’s rejection of government-directed arbitration and a dramatic gesture by union president Mark Hancock, who tore up the initial order at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, the CIRB extended the existing collective agreement until an arbitrator finalizes a new contract.

Also Read: Air Canada Grounds All Flights as Attendants Launch Strike

Air Canada, operating approximately 700 daily flights, expressed regret over the cancellations and committed to resuming operations as soon as possible, with flights expected to restart Monday evening. The airline and CUPE have been locked in negotiations for eight months, with disputes centered on pay and unpaid work during ground operations.

Air Canada’s latest offer of a 38% compensation increase over four years was deemed insufficient by the union, which argued that the proposed 8% first-year raise fails to address inflation. Affected passengers can seek full refunds via Air Canada’s website or app, as the airline navigates this labor dispute with significant implications for Canada’s aviation sector.

Also Read: Air Canada Strike Chaos: Flight Attendants Defy Back-to-Work Order