Travellers across Canada are bracing for another day of flight chaos as the labour dispute between Air Canada and its flight attendants intensifies. The flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), remain on strike despite a federal order to return to work.
CUPE announced it had filed a challenge in Federal Court against a ruling by the Canada Industrial Relations Board that mandated more than 10,000 flight attendants return to their jobs. The order was issued after Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu sent both sides to binding arbitration, citing the impact of the disruption on Canadians and the economy.
On Sunday, CUPE staged demonstrations at major airports in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, and Vancouver, accusing Hajdu of bending to Air Canada’s demands. In response, Air Canada postponed its restart plans until Monday evening but confirmed that the strike will continue until a “fair, negotiated collective agreement” is reached. The walkout began early Saturday morning, followed by the airline’s lockout just half an hour later.
The disruption has already forced the cancellation of nearly 940 flights on Sunday, leaving thousands of passengers scrambling to salvage their travel plans. On Monday morning, Air Canada suspended its financial guidance for both the third quarter and the year due to the ongoing crisis.
Labour groups nationwide have rallied behind CUPE, condemning the government’s intervention. The Canadian Labour Congress issued a strong statement late Sunday, calling Hajdu’s move an “unconstitutional attack on workers’ rights.” Union leaders pledged to launch a coordinated fightback campaign, including financial support for the legal battle against the order.