Air Canada Strike Continues Despite Government Intervention as Union Fights for Wage Increases and Better Compensation

Over 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants, affiliated with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), will persist in their industrial action despite government-issued orders to return to work. This assertion was made by CUPE on Sunday.

In a committee update, the union stated, “You are currently on strike and locked out! Please remember that there is no obligation to communicate with the employer during this period. There is no need to check your professional or personal email, nor to contact them for reassignment or reserve duties.”

The Canadian Minister of Jobs, Patty Hajdu, invoked Section 107 of the Canada Labor Code on Saturday, urging the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to compel Air Canada and its employees to resume their operations. The directive aimed to restore industrial peace and safeguard national interests, including those of Canadians and the economy.

Air Canada was instructed to recommence operations by 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, as per a statement from the CUPE-associated flight attendants. However, the union has invited Air Canada for negotiations instead of allowing the federal government to intervene when bargaining becomes challenging.

Air Canada sought government intervention using the provision on Tuesday, according to the CUPE’s statement issued on Friday. The airline has canceled 240 flights scheduled for Sunday afternoon due to the flight attendants’ alleged defiance of the return-to-work order.

Customers whose flights have been scrapped will be notified, and Air Canada advises against airport visits unless alternative airlines offer confirmed bookings. The airline anticipates resuming operations by Monday evening.

Last week, 99.7% of flight attendants voted in favor of the strike, which commenced around 1 a.m. ET on Saturday. The workers are advocating for wage increases and compensation during aircraft groundings.

Wesley Lesosky, president of the CUPE’s Air Canada division, declared on Saturday that the Canadian government is infringing upon the union’s Charter rights by compelling job action, thus forcing underpaid flight attendants to provide Air Canada with unpaid labor while it enjoys sky-high profits and generous executive compensation.

Air Canada claims to have offered a 38% increase in total remuneration over four years and an initial hourly wage hike of 12% to 16%. However, Hajdu denies the government’s anti-union stance, asserting that both Air Canada and union workers are at an impasse and require assistance in resolving remaining issues through arbitration.

Neither Air Canada nor the Canadian Labor Ministry responded to CNN’s request for comment.