Air Canada halts reinitiation efforts following flight attendant union's disregard for rejoining duty mandate
The ongoing strike by Air Canada's flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), has been affecting approximately 130,000 travelers daily during the peak summer travel season.
The dispute, which began on August 17, 2025, stems from contract talks where CUPE flight attendants are pushing back against imposed work conditions. The main point of contention remains the issue of pay and the unpaid work flight attendants do when planes aren't in the air.
In a bold defiance of the back-to-work order issued by the federal government, the flight attendants have continued the strike, leading to thousands of flight cancellations and significant losses for the airline. The losses are estimated at $43 million per day.
Air Canada, facing these losses, abruptly restarted contract negotiations. After a prolonged labor dispute, a tentative agreement was reached between CUPE and Air Canada by around August 25, 2025.
During the strike, flight attendants were seen picketing outside Pearson International Airport, chanting "Don't blame me, blame AC." The union urged members to remain united during the process and highlighted the legal and justice aspects of their right to strike.
Passengers whose flights are impacted will be eligible for full refunds on Air Canada's website or mobile app. The airline will offer alternative travel options through other Canadian and foreign airlines when possible.
Mark Hancock, national president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, has stated that the union's members will not return to work on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday. Hancock publicly ripped up a copy of the back-to-work order outside Toronto's Pearson International Airport.
Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu maintains that her Liberal government is not anti-union, acknowledging the impasse in contract talks between Air Canada and CUPE. The Canada Industrial Relations Board has extended the term of the existing collective agreement until a new one is determined.
The Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered airline staff of an unspecified airline to return to work by 2 pm on Sunday, following government intervention. However, the union representing 10,000 flight attendants announced they would defy this order, leading to Air Canada suspending plans to restart operations on Sunday.
The tentative agreement between Air Canada and CUPE is yet to be finalized, with contract talks currently at an impasse. The airline initially planned to resume flights on Sunday evening, but has since announced that flights will resume on Monday evening.
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The strike, which has significantly affected Air Canada's operations, has brought light to the financial implications facing the airline industry. The losses accrued by the airline, estimated at $43 million per day, could pose challenges in managing finances within the business sector.
In this critical juncture, both Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) are engaged in ongoing contract talks, with the focus on resolving issues related to employment conditions, pay, and workload, all crucial aspects of the finance and business sectors.
