Flight chaos in Canada: 10,000 Air Canada attendants strike; operations suspended, thousands of travelers stranded
Air Canada suspended operations on Saturday as more than 10,000 flight attendants went on strike, leaving travelers stranded during the peak summer travel season.
Strike begins after failed negotiations
Flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), walked off the job around 1 am EDT after failing to reach a new contract deal.
The union rejected Air Canada's request for government-directed arbitration, which would have removed the right to strike and allowed a third-party mediator to decide the terms.
CUPE spokesman Hugh Pouliot confirmed the strike, while Air Canada simultaneously announced it would begin locking flight attendants out of airports.
Government intervenes
Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu met with both parties Friday night, urging them to reach an agreement.
'It is unacceptable that such little progress has been made. Canadians are counting on both parties to put forward their best efforts,' Hajdu said.
The federal government previously forced Canada's major railroads into arbitration during a labor dispute, and some business groups are calling for similar action in this case.
Travelers in limbo
The shutdown affects about 130,000 people per day, including some 25,000 Canadians potentially stranded abroad.
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Air Canada operates roughly 700 flights daily, making the strike a major disruption in a country where flying is often the only practical travel option.
Montreal resident Alex Laroche, 21, described his frustration as he awaited news on his $8,000 nonrefundable trip to Europe. 'At this point, it's just a waiting game,' he said, noting that alternative flights are scarce and expensive.
Sticking points in negotiations
The dispute centers on pay and compensation for unpaid work when planes are not in the air.
Air Canada's latest offer included a 38% total compensation increase over four years, which it said would make attendants the best compensated in Canada. The union argued the proposed 8% raise in the first year did not keep pace with inflation.
Recovery uncertain
Air Canada COO Mark Nasr warned it could take up to a week to resume operations once a tentative deal is reached fully. Passengers affected are eligible for refunds or alternative travel options where possible, though full rebooking cannot be guaranteed due to the summer travel peak.
The strike marks a dramatic escalation in a bitter contract fight that has lasted eight months, with both sides showing no immediate signs of compromise.
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