What’s happening?
Air Canada’s 10,000 flight attendants are refusing to return to work, despite a government-issued back-to-work order. The walkout has grounded hundreds of flights and is disrupting travel for about 130,000 passengers per day during the peak summer season.
Didn’t the government order them back?
Yes. Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu invoked Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code on Saturday, forcing both sides into binding arbitration and directing staff to return by 2 p.m. Sunday. But the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) told its members to ignore the order, calling it unconstitutional.
So when will flights resume?
Air Canada originally said Sunday evening. Now, the airline is pushing that back to Monday night at the earliest — and warns it could take a full week to stabilize schedules. Hundreds of cancellations are expected in the meantime.
What’s the union saying?
Outside Toronto’s Pearson Airport, CUPE national president Mark Hancock ripped up a copy of the order, declaring:
“Our members are not going back to work. We are saying no.”
The union argues Ottawa is “caving to corporate pressure” and stripping workers of their Charter rights.
What’s this fight really about?
Pay and “ground time.” Flight attendants say they aren’t compensated for hours spent boarding, deplaning, safety checks, or handling emergencies when planes aren’t in the air.
- Union demand: Cost-of-living raises + end to unpaid ground work.
- Air Canada’s offer: A 38% boost in total compensation over four years, partial ground pay, and claims it would make them the “best-compensated” flight attendants in Canada.
CUPE calls that below inflation, below market value, and below minimum wage.
What happens next?
The CIRB has extended the last collective agreement until arbitration decides a new one. Air Canada is urging travelers not to head to airports unless rebooked on another carrier — but with planes packed, rebooking is slim.
For now, the message from CUPE is clear: “Don’t blame me, blame AC.”
