Why are flight attendants defying the government order?

CUPE declared on Sunday that members will stay on strike despite the CIRB ruling. The union argued that Ottawa’s move strips workers of their right to collective bargaining. “Rather than negotiating in good faith, Air Canada appears to have anticipated government intervention,” CUPE said.

How has the strike affected passengers so far?

Air Canada suspended around 700 flights daily, leaving an estimated 1,00,000 passengers stranded across six continents, according to company figures cited by Reuters and AP. By Friday alone, more than 55,000 travellers had been affected.

What powers did the government use to try to end the strike?

Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said she acted to protect Canada’s economy from lasting damage. She told reporters, according to Reuters: “I have exercised my authorities under Section 107… to order the parties to resume and continue their operations and duties in order to secure industrial peace and protect the interests of Canada, Canadians and the economy.”

What is at the centre of the dispute?

The most contentious issue is compensation for time spent on the ground, including boarding, airport standby, and layovers. Currently, attendants are paid only when planes are moving. At rallies, workers carried placards reading “Unpaid work won’t fly” and “Poverty wages = UnCanadian.”

What offer has Air Canada put on the table?

The airline had offered a 38 per cent increase in total compensation over four years, with added provisions for ground pay, pensions, and work-life balance. Chief Human Resources Officer Arielle Meloul-Wechsler described the proposal as generous and fair. The union, however, rejected it, insisting on a deal members could vote on.

Why did the union reject binding arbitration?

Air Canada had requested binding arbitration weeks earlier, but CUPE opposed it, arguing it lets the airline avoid meaningful talks. Binding arbitration would take pressure off the airline, CUPE said, calling instead for direct negotiations.

How historic is this strike?

The strike is the first walkout by Air Canada flight attendants since 1985. It followed months of deadlocked negotiations after the last contract expired on March 31. A lockout notice issued by the airline coincided with the union’s strike notice, setting up a near-total shutdown.

How long could disruptions last?

Air Canada warned that cancellations would continue for 7 to 10 days as operations stabilize, even if crews returned immediately. Chief Operations Officer Mark Nasr told AP the phased restart was necessary to avoid chaos. “Even under the best circumstances,” he said, “it would take a week.”

What are the political stakes for the government?

The intervention has stirred political debate. Labour groups accuse the Liberal government of siding with corporations over workers. Air Canada had lobbied for arbitration, while CUPE pressed Ottawa not to interfere. The strike has become a test of Carney’s handling of labour unrest amid fragile economic recovery.

CUPE has vowed to challenge the government’s directive in court, setting the stage for a legal showdown. Meanwhile, the CIRB has extended the expired collective agreement until a new deal is reached. Passengers remain caught in the crossfire, with Air Canada Express flights operated by regional partners Jazz and PAL Airlines being the only ones still running.

As Air Canada flight attendants defy government order, here’s all you need to know

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents roughly 10,000 flight attendants, called the federal directive “unconstitutional” and vowed to challenge it.

By: Express Web Desk

New Delhi | August 18, 2025 03:44 PM IST

1 min read

Picketers march around the departures level at the Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, British Columbia. (Photo: The Canadian Press via AP)

Air Canada flight attendants said they will remain on strike, openly defying a government order to return to duty by Sunday afternoon, according to Reuters. The unprecedented walkout, the first by cabin crew since 1985, has already grounded around 700 flights a day and stranded more than 1,00,000 passengers worldwide.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents roughly 10,000 flight attendants, called the federal directive “unconstitutional” and vowed to challenge it. “Our members will remain on strike, and we invite Air Canada back to the table to negotiate a fair deal,” CUPE said in a statement.

Air Canada, the country’s largest carrier, had planned to resume flights by Sunday evening after the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) ordered operations to restart. The board acted on instructions from Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu, who invoked Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to impose binding arbitration and force a return to work.

As the problem mounts, here are 10 key questions answered:

01
Why are flight attendants defying the government order?
CUPE declared on Sunday that members will stay on strike despite the CIRB ruling. The union argued that Ottawa’s move strips workers of their right to collective bargaining. “Rather than negotiating in good faith, Air Canada appears to have anticipated government intervention,” CUPE said.
02
How has the strike affected passengers so far?
Air Canada suspended around 700 flights daily, leaving an estimated 1,00,000 passengers stranded across six continents, according to company figures cited by Reuters and AP. By Friday alone, more than 55,000 travellers had been affected.
03
What powers did the government use to try to end the strike?
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said she acted to protect Canada’s economy from lasting damage. She told reporters, according to Reuters: “I have exercised my authorities under Section 107… to order the parties to resume and continue their operations and duties in order to secure industrial peace and protect the interests of Canada, Canadians and the economy.”
04
What is at the centre of the dispute?
The most contentious issue is compensation for time spent on the ground, including boarding, airport standby, and layovers. Currently, attendants are paid only when planes are moving. At rallies, workers carried placards reading “Unpaid work won’t fly” and “Poverty wages = UnCanadian.”
05
What offer has Air Canada put on the table?
The airline had offered a 38 per cent increase in total compensation over four years, with added provisions for ground pay, pensions, and work-life balance. Chief Human Resources Officer Arielle Meloul-Wechsler described the proposal as generous and fair. The union, however, rejected it, insisting on a deal members could vote on.
06
Why did the union reject binding arbitration?
Air Canada had requested binding arbitration weeks earlier, but CUPE opposed it, arguing it lets the airline avoid meaningful talks. Binding arbitration would take pressure off the airline, CUPE said, calling instead for direct negotiations.
07
How historic is this strike?
The strike is the first walkout by Air Canada flight attendants since 1985. It followed months of deadlocked negotiations after the last contract expired on March 31. A lockout notice issued by the airline coincided with the union’s strike notice, setting up a near-total shutdown.
08
How long could disruptions last?
Air Canada warned that cancellations would continue for 7 to 10 days as operations stabilize, even if crews returned immediately. Chief Operations Officer Mark Nasr told AP the phased restart was necessary to avoid chaos. “Even under the best circumstances,” he said, “it would take a week.”
09
What are the political stakes for the government?
The intervention has stirred political debate. Labour groups accuse the Liberal government of siding with corporations over workers. Air Canada had lobbied for arbitration, while CUPE pressed Ottawa not to interfere. The strike has become a test of Carney’s handling of labour unrest amid fragile economic recovery.
10
What happens next?
CUPE has vowed to challenge the government’s directive in court, setting the stage for a legal showdown. Meanwhile, the CIRB has extended the expired collective agreement until a new deal is reached. Passengers remain caught in the crossfire, with Air Canada Express flights operated by regional partners Jazz and PAL Airlines being the only ones still running.