Canada’s travel network faces massive disruption as more than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants walked off the job early Saturday, halting all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights. The strike began just before 1 a.m. ET after last-minute talks between the airline and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) ended in an impasse.
The work stoppage is expected to affect roughly 130,000 passengers daily. Air Canada Express flights, operated by Jazz and PAL, remain unaffected. Picket lines have been set up at major airports, including Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver, with additional action in Halifax, Ottawa, and Winnipeg.
“We are heartbroken for our passengers,” CUPE said, stressing that the dispute centres on wages that have not kept pace with inflation and unpaid work for safety-related duties. The union says it opposes binding arbitration, preferring to negotiate directly.
Air Canada says its latest offer included a 38% increase in total compensation over four years, new ground pay provisions, enhanced health and pension benefits, and increased vacation — making its flight attendants “the best compensated in Canada.” CUPE disputes that claim, arguing the offer still leaves many members below a living wage.
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu has urged both sides to resume talks but has so far declined to intervene using Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code.
Air Canada has already cancelled more than 600 flights over the past two days in anticipation of the strike. Affected customers are being offered full refunds, free rebooking, or travel credits, and the airline is advising passengers not to go to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking with another carrier.