WILDCAT!
Air Canada flight attendants vow to defy back-to-work order as strike talks resume
Toronto (Canada) (AFP) – Striking Air Canada flight attendants vowed Monday to defy another back-to-work order from the country's labor tribunal, but resumed talks seeking to end a walkout that has cancelled travel for half a million people worldwide.
Issued on: 19/08/2025 -
Carney 'disappointed'
Rafael Gomez, an industrial relations expert at the University of Toronto, told AFP the union may be on solid legal footing.
The provision "is written in such a way that it's really for a situation where strikes have gone on a long time and there's no way forward," he said, suggesting that standard could not credibly apply to a strike that is just a few days old.
Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters Monday it was "disappointing" that eight months of negotiations between the carrier and union did not produce an agreement.
"We recognize very much the critical role that flight attendants play in keeping Canadians and their families safe as they travel," he said.
"It is important that they're compensated equitably."
But, he added, Canada faced a situation where hundreds of thousands of citizens and visitors were facing travel uncertainty.
On Thursday, Air Canada detailed the terms offered to cabin crew, indicating a senior flight attendant would on average make CAN$87,000 ($65,000) by 2027.
CUPE has described Air Canada's offers as "below inflation (and) below market value."
In a statement issued before the strike began, the Business Council of Canada warned an Air Canada work stoppage would exacerbate the economic pinch already being felt from US President Donald Trump's tariffs.
Toronto (Canada) (AFP) – Striking Air Canada flight attendants vowed Monday to defy another back-to-work order from the country's labor tribunal, but resumed talks seeking to end a walkout that has cancelled travel for half a million people worldwide.
Issued on: 19/08/2025 -
Passengers look at a depatures board in Montreal, Canada, during the Air Canada strike © ANDREJ IVANOV / AFP
Roughly 10,000 flight attendants walked off the job after midnight Saturday, insisting the airline had failed to address their demands for higher wages and compensation for unpaid ground work, including during boarding.
Canada's national carrier, which flies directly to 180 cities domestically and abroad, said the strike had forced cancellations impacting 500,000 people.
Over the weekend, federal labor minister Patty Hajdu invoked a legal provision to halt the strike and force both sides into binding arbitration.
Following Hajdu's intervention, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), a regulatory tribual, ordered the flight attendants back to work Sunday.
The flight attendants' union said it would defy the order, forcing Air Canada to walk back plans to partially restore service.
CIRB regulators upped the pressure Monday.
It ordered the union "to resume the performance of their duties immediately and to refrain from engaging in unlawful strike activities," Air Canada said in a statement.
The tribunal gave the Canadian Union of Public Employees until 12:00 pm (1600 GMT) to communicate to members that they "are required to resume the performance of their duties," the carrier added.
Speaking after that deadline, CUPE president Mark Hancock told reporters the solution "has to be found at a bargaining table," and that the union will not respect the tribunal's ruling.
"None of us want to be in defiance of the law," he said, but stressed the union would not waver in advocating for people asked to work hours on the ground during flight delays without "getting paid a dime."
If Air Canada "thinks that planes will be flying this afternoon, they're sorely mistaken," Hancock said.
The union said later Monday that it had resumed talks with the airline as part of "continued attempts to reach a fair deal."
The evening meetings were taking place in Toronto with the assistance of a mediator, William Kaplan, CUPE's Air Canada component said in a statement on Facebook.
But it added that "at this time, the strike is still on, and the talks have just commenced."
Roughly 10,000 flight attendants walked off the job after midnight Saturday, insisting the airline had failed to address their demands for higher wages and compensation for unpaid ground work, including during boarding.
Canada's national carrier, which flies directly to 180 cities domestically and abroad, said the strike had forced cancellations impacting 500,000 people.
Over the weekend, federal labor minister Patty Hajdu invoked a legal provision to halt the strike and force both sides into binding arbitration.
Following Hajdu's intervention, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), a regulatory tribual, ordered the flight attendants back to work Sunday.
The flight attendants' union said it would defy the order, forcing Air Canada to walk back plans to partially restore service.
CIRB regulators upped the pressure Monday.
It ordered the union "to resume the performance of their duties immediately and to refrain from engaging in unlawful strike activities," Air Canada said in a statement.
The tribunal gave the Canadian Union of Public Employees until 12:00 pm (1600 GMT) to communicate to members that they "are required to resume the performance of their duties," the carrier added.
Speaking after that deadline, CUPE president Mark Hancock told reporters the solution "has to be found at a bargaining table," and that the union will not respect the tribunal's ruling.
"None of us want to be in defiance of the law," he said, but stressed the union would not waver in advocating for people asked to work hours on the ground during flight delays without "getting paid a dime."
If Air Canada "thinks that planes will be flying this afternoon, they're sorely mistaken," Hancock said.
The union said later Monday that it had resumed talks with the airline as part of "continued attempts to reach a fair deal."
The evening meetings were taking place in Toronto with the assistance of a mediator, William Kaplan, CUPE's Air Canada component said in a statement on Facebook.
But it added that "at this time, the strike is still on, and the talks have just commenced."
Carney 'disappointed'
Rafael Gomez, an industrial relations expert at the University of Toronto, told AFP the union may be on solid legal footing.
The provision "is written in such a way that it's really for a situation where strikes have gone on a long time and there's no way forward," he said, suggesting that standard could not credibly apply to a strike that is just a few days old.
Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters Monday it was "disappointing" that eight months of negotiations between the carrier and union did not produce an agreement.
"We recognize very much the critical role that flight attendants play in keeping Canadians and their families safe as they travel," he said.
"It is important that they're compensated equitably."
But, he added, Canada faced a situation where hundreds of thousands of citizens and visitors were facing travel uncertainty.
On Thursday, Air Canada detailed the terms offered to cabin crew, indicating a senior flight attendant would on average make CAN$87,000 ($65,000) by 2027.
CUPE has described Air Canada's offers as "below inflation (and) below market value."
In a statement issued before the strike began, the Business Council of Canada warned an Air Canada work stoppage would exacerbate the economic pinch already being felt from US President Donald Trump's tariffs.
Fightback campaign
On Thursday, Air Canada detailed the terms offered to cabin crew, indicating a senior flight attendant would on average make CAN$87,000 ($65,000) by 2027.
CUPE has described Air Canada's offers as "below inflation (and) below market value".
In a statement issued before the strike began, the Business Council of Canada warned an Air Canada work stoppage would exacerbate the economic pinch already being felt from US President Donald Trump's tariffs.
Other labour organisations are voicing support for the flight attendants. Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, Canada's largest labour organisation, told Reuters they are ready to join the Air Canada strike if necessary.
"All cards are on the table in terms of what unions are prepared to do to ramp up a fightback campaign," said Bruske, whose organisation represents 3 million workers across Canada.
Help could include financial contributions to cover legal costs for CUPE, she said.
Air Canada's pilot union, the Air Line Pilots' Association, said it encouraged its members to join the picket lines during their time off.
"Air Canada pilots support our flight attendant colleagues in their ongoing struggle to achieve the fair contract they have earned," it said in a statement. "This is an important moment for organised labour across Canada."
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters)
On Thursday, Air Canada detailed the terms offered to cabin crew, indicating a senior flight attendant would on average make CAN$87,000 ($65,000) by 2027.
CUPE has described Air Canada's offers as "below inflation (and) below market value".
In a statement issued before the strike began, the Business Council of Canada warned an Air Canada work stoppage would exacerbate the economic pinch already being felt from US President Donald Trump's tariffs.
Other labour organisations are voicing support for the flight attendants. Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, Canada's largest labour organisation, told Reuters they are ready to join the Air Canada strike if necessary.
"All cards are on the table in terms of what unions are prepared to do to ramp up a fightback campaign," said Bruske, whose organisation represents 3 million workers across Canada.
Help could include financial contributions to cover legal costs for CUPE, she said.
Air Canada's pilot union, the Air Line Pilots' Association, said it encouraged its members to join the picket lines during their time off.
"Air Canada pilots support our flight attendant colleagues in their ongoing struggle to achieve the fair contract they have earned," it said in a statement. "This is an important moment for organised labour across Canada."
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters)
Air Canada suspends restart plans after flight attendants union defies return to work order
Copyright Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP
By Euronews with AP
Published on 18/08/2025 -
The Canada Industrial Relations Board had ordered airline staff back to work by 2 pm Sunday after the government intervened.
Copyright Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP
By Euronews with AP
Published on 18/08/2025 -
Air Canada said it suspended plans to restart operations on Sunday after the union representing 10,000 flight attendants said it will defy a return to work order.
The strike was already affecting about 130,000 travellers around the world per day during the peak summer travel season.
The Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered airline staff back to work by 2 pm on Sunday after the government intervened and Air Canada said it planned to resume flights Sunday evening.
Canada’s largest airline now says it will resume flights Monday evening. Air Canada said in a statement that the union “illegally directed its flight attendant members to defy a direction from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board.”
However, union members say they will continue to refuse work until their demands are heard, calling the return to work order unconstitutional.
The strike was already affecting about 130,000 travellers around the world per day during the peak summer travel season.
The Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered airline staff back to work by 2 pm on Sunday after the government intervened and Air Canada said it planned to resume flights Sunday evening.
Canada’s largest airline now says it will resume flights Monday evening. Air Canada said in a statement that the union “illegally directed its flight attendant members to defy a direction from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board.”
However, union members say they will continue to refuse work until their demands are heard, calling the return to work order unconstitutional.
Picketers march around the departures level at the Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, British Columbia, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP
“Our members are not going back to work,” Canadian Union of Public Employees national president Mark Hancock said outside Toronto's Pearson International Airport. “We are saying no.”
Hancock ripped up a copy of the back-to-work order outside the airport’s departures terminal where union members were picketing Sunday morning. He said they won't return Tuesday either.
Flight attendants chanted “Don’t blame me, blame AC” outside Pearson.
“Like many Canadians, the Minister is monitoring this situation closely. The Canada Industrial Relations Board is an independent tribunal," Jennifer Kozelj, a spokeswoman for Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said in a statement.
Contract talks at an impasse
Less than 12 hours after workers walked off the job, Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu ordered the 10,000 flight attendants back to work, saying now is not the time to take risks with the economy and noting the unprecedented tariffs the US has imposed on Canada. Hajdu referred the work stoppage to the Canada Industrial Relations Board.
The airline said the CIRB has extended the term of the existing collective agreement until a new one is determined by the arbitrator.
The bitter contract fight escalated Friday as the union turned down Air Canada’s prior request to enter into government-directed arbitration, which allows a third-party mediator to decide the terms of a new contract.
Hajdu maintained that her Liberal government is not anti-union, saying it is clear the two sides are at an impasse.
“Our members are not going back to work,” Canadian Union of Public Employees national president Mark Hancock said outside Toronto's Pearson International Airport. “We are saying no.”
Hancock ripped up a copy of the back-to-work order outside the airport’s departures terminal where union members were picketing Sunday morning. He said they won't return Tuesday either.
Flight attendants chanted “Don’t blame me, blame AC” outside Pearson.
“Like many Canadians, the Minister is monitoring this situation closely. The Canada Industrial Relations Board is an independent tribunal," Jennifer Kozelj, a spokeswoman for Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said in a statement.
Contract talks at an impasse
Less than 12 hours after workers walked off the job, Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu ordered the 10,000 flight attendants back to work, saying now is not the time to take risks with the economy and noting the unprecedented tariffs the US has imposed on Canada. Hajdu referred the work stoppage to the Canada Industrial Relations Board.
The airline said the CIRB has extended the term of the existing collective agreement until a new one is determined by the arbitrator.
The bitter contract fight escalated Friday as the union turned down Air Canada’s prior request to enter into government-directed arbitration, which allows a third-party mediator to decide the terms of a new contract.
Hajdu maintained that her Liberal government is not anti-union, saying it is clear the two sides are at an impasse.
Air Canada workers picket at the Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP
Passengers whose flights are impacted will be eligible to request a full refund on the airline’s website or mobile app, according to Air Canada.
The airline said it would also offer alternative travel options through other Canadian and foreign airlines when possible. Still, it warned that it could not guarantee immediate rebooking because flights on other airlines are already full “due to the summer travel peak.”
Air Canada and CUPE have been in contract talks for about eight months, but they have yet to reach a tentative deal. Both sides have said they remain far apart on the issue of pay and the unpaid work flight attendants do when planes aren’t in the air.
The airline’s latest offer included a 38% increase in total compensation, including benefits and pensions, over four years, that it said “would have made our flight attendants the best compensated in Canada.”
But the union pushed back, saying the proposed 8% raise in the first year didn’t go far enough because of inflation.
Passengers whose flights are impacted will be eligible to request a full refund on the airline’s website or mobile app, according to Air Canada.
The airline said it would also offer alternative travel options through other Canadian and foreign airlines when possible. Still, it warned that it could not guarantee immediate rebooking because flights on other airlines are already full “due to the summer travel peak.”
Air Canada and CUPE have been in contract talks for about eight months, but they have yet to reach a tentative deal. Both sides have said they remain far apart on the issue of pay and the unpaid work flight attendants do when planes aren’t in the air.
The airline’s latest offer included a 38% increase in total compensation, including benefits and pensions, over four years, that it said “would have made our flight attendants the best compensated in Canada.”
But the union pushed back, saying the proposed 8% raise in the first year didn’t go far enough because of inflation.
NO STATE INTERVENTION!
Quebec union leaders say workers could face same fate as Air Canada flight attendants
By The Canadian Press
August 18, 2025
The president of the FTQ, Magali Picard, photographed during a press conference in Quebec City,
. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
The presidents of two major Quebec unions fear workers in the province could soon face the same treatment as striking Air Canada flight attendants under a provincial law passed in May.
The law gives Quebec’s labour minister the power to end a labour dispute by imposing arbitration when the strike or lockout is deemed likely to cause serious or irreparable harm to the public.
Magali Picard with the FTQ and Éric Gingras with the CSQ say Quebec employers now have an incentive to drag their feet on negotiations while waiting for the government to intervene.
The two union presidents are drawing a parallel between the new Quebec law and federal legislation that permits Ottawa to force two sides in a labour dispute into binding arbitration.
Ottawa has done just that in the conflict between Air Canada and its flight attendants’ union, and the federal labour relations board has ruled the union’s strike unlawful.
However, the union representing the Air Canada flight attendants has defied the order from the labour relations board and says the strike will continue.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 18, 2025.
The presidents of two major Quebec unions fear workers in the province could soon face the same treatment as striking Air Canada flight attendants under a provincial law passed in May.
The law gives Quebec’s labour minister the power to end a labour dispute by imposing arbitration when the strike or lockout is deemed likely to cause serious or irreparable harm to the public.
Magali Picard with the FTQ and Éric Gingras with the CSQ say Quebec employers now have an incentive to drag their feet on negotiations while waiting for the government to intervene.
The two union presidents are drawing a parallel between the new Quebec law and federal legislation that permits Ottawa to force two sides in a labour dispute into binding arbitration.
Ottawa has done just that in the conflict between Air Canada and its flight attendants’ union, and the federal labour relations board has ruled the union’s strike unlawful.
However, the union representing the Air Canada flight attendants has defied the order from the labour relations board and says the strike will continue.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 18, 2025.
