Air Canada Strike Intensifies: Flight Attendants Defy Return-to-Work Order, Operations Grounded Through Monday Evening
Air Canada Strike Intensifies: Flight Attendants Defy Return-to-Work Order, Operations Grounded Through Monday Evening
Air Canada’s flight operations remain severely disrupted, with the airline now planning to resume services no earlier than Monday evening, August 18, 2025. This follows striking flight attendants’ defiance of a Canadian government-issued return-to-work order that had aimed to end the walkout by Sunday afternoon.
The strike, initiated by 10,000 flight attendants on Saturday morning, August 16, has stranded over 100,000 travelers globally during the peak summer travel season. Despite the Canada Industrial Relations Board ordering staff back to work by Sunday 2 p.m. EDT, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing the flight attendants, announced demonstrations would continue nationwide.
CUPE reiterated its call for Air Canada to return to the bargaining table for a fair, negotiated contract, specifically demanding compensation for all hours worked. The union rejected the airline’s offer of a 38% total compensation increase over four years, citing insufficient first-year raises amidst inflation.
Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu intervened swiftly, referring the work stoppage to the CIRB due to concerns over economic risks. Air Canada has canceled hundreds of flights since Friday, August 15, impacting an estimated 130,000 people daily. Passengers affected by the ongoing disruptions are eligible for full refunds or alternative travel options, though immediate rebooking on other airlines is challenging due to high demand.
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