Air Canada Crew Defies Order, Strike Disruptions Continue

Air Canada’s striking flight attendants have refused to comply with a government-backed order to return to work, delaying the airline’s planned resumption of operations and prolonging travel disruptions. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants, announced on Aug. 17 that they would continue striking, calling the back-to-work order “unconstitutional” and “designed to protect the airline’s profit.” The union urged Air Canada to return to the bargaining table for “a fair deal.”

As a result, Air Canada postponed its restart from Aug. 17 to the evening of Aug. 18, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and uncertain. The strike began on Aug. 16 after months of stalled contract negotiations. Air Canada preemptively canceled most of its 700 daily flights, affecting more than 100,000 travelers scrambling for alternatives. Following the strike announcement, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) imposed binding arbitration at the request of Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu, using powers under the Canada Labour Code to protect the economy.

Air Canada welcomed government intervention, while CUPE rejected binding arbitration, arguing it would relieve pressure on the airline and undermine workers’ leverage. The ongoing strike and defiance of the back-to-work order continue to fuel operational uncertainty and disrupt passenger travel.

CUPE said it had negotiated in good faith with Air Canada for over eight months. The airline recently proposed a 38% total compensation increase over four years, including a 25% raise in the first year. However, the union rejected the offer, calling it “below inflation, below market value, below minimum wage,” and arguing it would leave flight attendants unpaid for certain hours worked, such as time spent waiting at airports or during boarding. CUPE added that wages have not kept pace with inflation, making the proposed raise effectively a pay cut. Nearly all flight attendants—99.7%—voted to strike earlier this month, prompting Air Canada to seek government intervention.