Air Canada Flight Attendants Continue Strike Despite Government's Back-to-Work Order

Air Canada's flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), have chosen to continue their strike, defying a back-to-work order issued by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). The strike, which began on August 16, 2025, has led to the suspension of approximately 700 daily flights, affecting over 100,000 passengers.

The Canadian government intervened by directing the CIRB to impose binding arbitration and mandate an immediate end to the labor dispute. Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu stated that the decision was made to restore industrial peace and safeguard national economic interests.

Despite the government's directive, CUPE announced that flight attendants would remain on strike. The union criticized the government's order, deeming it unconstitutional and accusing Air Canada of avoiding genuine negotiations.

Air Canada had planned to resume flights on Sunday evening following the CIRB's order but has postponed these plans due to the union's continued strike action. The airline now expects to resume services on Monday evening, warning that cancellations will continue for another 7–10 days until operations stabilize.

The primary issues in the dispute include compensation for time spent on the ground between flights and during passenger boarding, as attendants are currently paid mostly only during actual flight time. Air Canada offered a 38% increase in total compensation over four years, but the union rejected it, citing insufficient adjustments for inflation.

The CIRB has extended the terms of the prior collective agreement, which expired on March 31, until a new agreement is finalized.

The ongoing strike and defiance of the back-to-work order have led to significant disruptions in Air Canada's operations, with the airline advising passengers to check for updates and offering options for rebooking or refunds.