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Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Airline disruption update after hundreds of flights cancelled
A union representing 10,000 flight attendants said it would defy a return-to-work order A major airline has issued an update amid disruption to travellers caused by a pay dispute. Air Canada had to scrap plans to restart operations on Sunday after the union representing 10,000 flight attendants vowed to ignore a return-to-work directive. The Canada Industrial Relations Board had ordered airline staff back to work by 2pm on Sunday following government intervention, with Air Canada initially planning to resume flights Sunday evening. Canada's biggest airline now says it will restart flights Monday evening, reports Bristol Live. Air Canada stated that the union "illegally directed its flight attendant members to defy a direction from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board". "Our members are not going back to work," Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) national president Mark Hancock declared earlier on Sunday outside Toronto's Pearson International Airport. "We are saying no." The federal government did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the union's refusal to return to work. Mr Hancock claimed the "whole process has been unfair" and said the union would challenge what it branded an unconstitutional directive. "Air Canada has really refused to bargain with us and they refused to bargain with us because they knew this government would come in on their white horse and try and save the day," he said. The nation's leading airline announced early Sunday that the first flights would recommence later in the day, but warned it could take several days for operations to return to normal. The airline also cautioned that some flights may be cancelled over the next week to ten days until the schedule stabilises. Federal jobs minister Patty Hajdu intervened less than 12 hours after workers downed tools, ordering the 10,000 flight attendants back to work. She stated that now was not the time to gamble with the economy, particularly given the unprecedented tariffs imposed on Canada by the US. Ms Hajdu referred the work stoppage to the Canada Industrial Relations Board. The airline confirmed that the Canada Industrial Relations Board had extended the term of the existing collective agreement until a new one was determined by the arbitrator. Air Canada shutdown affected hundreds of flights The shutdown of Canada's largest airline early Saturday affected approximately 130,000 people daily. Air Canada operates around 700 flights per day. Aviation analytics provider Cirium reported that Air Canada cancelled a total of 494 flights on Sunday morning. This was on top of the hundreds of flights it had cancelled in the preceding days. The bitter contract dispute escalated on Friday when the union rejected Air Canada's previous request to enter into government-directed arbitration, which allows a third-party mediator to decide the terms of a new contract. Flight attendants downed tools at around 1am Eastern Daylight Time on Saturday. At the same time, Air Canada announced it would start barring flight attendants from airports. Ms Hajdu insisted that her Liberal government was not anti-union, stating it was obvious the two parties had reached a deadlock. Travellers whose flights were affected would be entitled to claim a full refund through the airline's website or mobile app, Air Canada confirmed. The carrier also pledged to provide alternative travel arrangements through other Canadian and international airlines where feasible. However, it cautioned that immediate rebooking could not be guaranteed as flights on other carriers were already at capacity "due to the summer travel peak". Air Canada and CUPE have been engaged in contract negotiations for approximately eight months, yet they have failed to secure a provisional agreement. Both parties have acknowledged they remain significantly divided on wages and the unpaid duties flight attendants perform when aircraft are grounded. The airline's most recent proposal featured a 38% rise in overall compensation, encompassing benefits and pensions, across four years, which it claimed "would have made our flight attendants the best compensated in Canada". However, the union rejected this, arguing the suggested 8% pay rise in the initial year was insufficient given inflation.
Mint
4 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
Air Canada cancels plans to resume flights as attendants' union rejects return to work order: ‘We are saying no'
Air Canada has called off its plans to resume flights on Sunday after the union representing 10,000 flight attendants announced it would defy a return-to-work order. The strike was already impacting roughly 130,000 travellers daily during peak summer travel, according to a report by AP. After government intervention, the Canadian Industrial Relations Board instructed airline staff to return to work by 2 pm Sunday, and Air Canada announced it planned to restart flights on Sunday evening. Canada's largest airline announced it will resume flights on Monday evening. Air Canada stated in a press release that the union'illegally directed its flight attendant members to defy a direction from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board.' 'Our members are not going back to work,' Canadian Union of Public Employees national president Mark Hancock said outside Toronto's Pearson International Airport. 'We are saying no.' Hancock tore up a copy of the back-to-work order outside the airport's departures terminal, where union members were picketing on Sunday morning. He also mentioned they won't be returning on Tuesday. Flight attendants said, 'Don't blame me, blame AC', outside Pearson. Jennifer Kozelj, a spokeswoman for Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu, wrote in an email that, like many Canadians, the Minister is closely monitoring the situation. She emphasised that the Canada Industrial Relations Board operates as an independent tribunal. Hancock said the 'whole process has been unfair' and said the union will challenge what it called an unconstitutional order. Less than 12 hours after workers went on strike, Hajdu instructed the 10,000 flight attendants to return to work, emphasising that this is not the time to jeopardise the economy and highlighting the unprecedented tariffs the US has placed on Canada. She also referred the strike to the Canada Industrial Relations Board. The airline stated that the CIRB has extended the duration of the current collective agreement until the arbitrator finalises a new one. The closure of Canada's biggest airline early Saturday affected approximately 130,000 people daily. Air Canada typically runs around 700 flights each day. Flight attendants left their jobs around 1 a.m. EDT on Saturday. At nearly the same time, Air Canada announced it would start locking flight attendants out of airports. The contract dispute intensified on Friday when the union rejected Air Canada's earlier proposal to engage in government-mandated arbitration, where a third-party mediator would determine the terms of the new agreement. In 2024, the government compelled the country's two major railways into arbitration with their labour union during a strike. The union representing the rail workers is suing, claiming the government is undermining the union's bargaining power. Hajdu mentioned that the Liberal government isn't opposed to unions, highlighting that it's evident the two sides have reached an impasse. Passengers whose flights are impacted will be eligible to request a full refund on the airline's website or mobile app, according to Air Canada. The airline plans to offer alternative travel options via other Canadian and foreign airlines when possible. Still, it warned that it could not guarantee immediate rebooking because flights on other airlines are already full 'due to the summer travel peak.' Air Canada and CUPE have been negotiating for approximately eight months without reaching a tentative agreement. Both parties acknowledge significant differences, particularly regarding pay and the unpaid work flight attendants perform when planes are not in operation. Its most recent offer included a 38% increase in total compensation, which included benefits and pensions, over four years, that it expects 'would have made our flight attendants the best compensated in Canada.' However, the union opposed the move, stating that the proposed 8% hike in the first year was not enough due to inflation. (With inputs from agencies.)
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First Post
4 hours ago
- Business
- First Post
Air Canada postpones service resumption after flight attendants union refuses work order
The shutdown of Canada's largest airline early Saturday was impacting about 130,000 people a day. Air Canada operates around 700 flights per day Air Canada employees and union members protest outside the Air Canada headquarters in Montreal, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, after the federal government intervened in the labour dispute between the airline and the union representing its flight attendants, ordering binding arbitration and operations to resume. AP Air Canada suspended plans to restart operations Sunday after the union representing 10,000 flight attendants said it will defy a return to work order. The strike was already affecting about 130,000 travellers per day during the peak summer travel season. The Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered airline staff back to work by 2 p.m. Sunday after the government intervened and Air Canada said it planned to resume flights Sunday evening. Canada's largest airline now says it will resume flights Monday evening. Air Canada said in a statement that the union 'illegally directed its flight attendant members to defy a direction from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Our members are not going back to work,' Canadian Union of Public Employees national president Mark Hancock said outside Toronto's Pearson International Airport. 'We are saying no.' Hancock ripped up a copy of the back-to-work order outside the airport's departures terminal where union members were picketing Sunday morning. He said they won't return Tuesday either. Flight attendants chanted 'Don't blame me, blame AC' outside Pearson. 'Like many Canadians, the Minister is monitoring this situation closely. The Canada Industrial Relations Board is an independent tribunal,' Jennifer Kozelj, a spokeswoman for Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said in a emailed statement. Hancock said the 'whole process has been unfair' and said the union will challenge what it called an unconstitutional order. Less than 12 hours after workers walked off the job, Hajdu ordered the 10,000 flight attendants back to work, saying now is not the time to take risks with the economy and noting the unprecedented tariffs the U.S. has imposed on Canada. Hajdu referred the work stoppage to the Canada Industrial Relations Board. The airline said the CIRB has extended the term of the existing collective agreement until a new one is determined by the arbitrator. The shutdown of Canada's largest airline early Saturday was impacting about 130,000 people a day. Air Canada operates around 700 flights per day. Tourist Mel Durston from southern England was trying to make the most of sightseeing in Canada. But she said she doesn't have a way to continue her journey. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We wanted to go see the Rockies, but we might not get there because of this,' Durston said. 'We might have to head straight back.' James Hart and Zahara Virani were visiting Toronto from Calgary, Alberta for what they thought would be a fun weekend. But they ended up paying $2,600 Canadian ($1,880) to fly with another airline on a later day after their Air Canada flight got canceled. 'It's a little frustrating and stressful, but at the same time, I don't blame the flight attendants at all,' Virani said. 'What they're asking for is not unreasonable whatsoever.' Flight attendants walked off the job around 1 a.m. EDT on Saturday. Around the same time, Air Canada said it would begin locking flight attendants out of airports. The bitter contract fight escalated Friday as the union turned down Air Canada's prior request to enter into government-directed arbitration, which allows a third-party mediator to decide the terms of a new contract. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Last year, the government forced the country's two major railroads into arbitration with their labor union during a work stoppage. The union for the rail workers is suing, arguing the government is removing a union's leverage in negotiations. Hajdu maintained that her Liberal government is not anti-union, saying it is clear the two sides are at an impasse. Passengers whose flights are impacted will be eligible to request a full refund on the airline's website or mobile app, according to Air Canada. The airline said it would also offer alternative travel options through other Canadian and foreign airlines when possible. Still, it warned that it could not guarantee immediate rebooking because flights on other airlines are already full 'due to the summer travel peak.' Air Canada and CUPE have been in contract talks for about eight months, but they have yet to reach a tentative deal. Both sides have said they remain far apart on the issue of pay and the unpaid work flight attendants do when planes aren't in the air. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The airline's latest offer included a 38% increase in total compensation, including benefits and pensions, over four years, that it said 'would have made our flight attendants the best compensated in Canada.' But the union pushed back, saying the proposed 8% raise in the first year didn't go far enough because of inflation.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Air Canada staff refuse government back-to-work order with plans to restart flights now at risk
Thousands of Air Canada flight attendants have defied a government back-to-work order Sunday, according to their union. The country's largest airline, whose collective agreement with the flight attendants expired in March, has been unable to come to an agreement with the union over key issues like worker pay. Air Canada said early Sunday that the Canada Industrial Relations Board, which is part of the government, had directed the carrier to resume operations and have the striking workers return to their posts by 2 p.m. Eastern time. But the Canadian Union of Public Employees described the order as 'unconstitutional' and said workers would not comply. 'We will be challenging this blatantly unconstitutional order that violates the charter rights of 10,000 flight attendants, 70 percent of whom are women, and 100 percent of whom are forced to do hours of unpaid work by their employer every time they come to work,' the Canadian Union of Public Employees said in a statement. 'We remain on strike. We demand a fair, negotiated contract and to be compensated for all hours worked.' Air Canada responded by saying the union was 'illegally' defying the government return-to-work orders, and that approximately 240 flights that had been scheduled to resume Sunday had been cancelled. 'The airline will resume flights as of tomorrow evening,' Air Canada added. On the first day of the strike, Air Canada said about 700 flights were cancelled, impacting about 130,000 passengers across Canada, the U.S., and the 65 foreign countries the carrier services. Air Canada is the country's largest airline, making up about half of the country's domestic air travel capacity each day, according to aviation data firm Cirium. It is also a part of the Star Alliance code-sharing network of airlines that includes United Airlines, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines and Singapore Airlines. Regional Air Canada Express flights, contracted to smaller carriers, are not impacted by the strike. Prior to the strike, the airline also warned disruptions would radiate outward and impact supply chain networks, given that its cargo unit operates in 50 countries. The union went on strike early Saturday after turning down a request from the airline to enter into government-directed arbitration Friday. Canada's labor minister Patty Hajdu intervened in the dispute Saturday, ordering the industrial relations board to use binding arbitration to conclude the faltering negotiations. The Independent has contacted Hajdu for comment. Canadian Union of Public Employees National Secretary-Treasurer, Candace Rennick, called the step a 'blatant betrayal' of workers' rights and accused the Liberal government of tipping the scales towards Air Canada. 'The government's decision to intervene on behalf of an already wildly profitable employer, while a predominantly female workforce fights tooth and nail for a path out of poverty, is not just unjust, it's a disgraceful misuse of power that reeks of systemic bias and corporate favoritism,' she said in a statement. Workers agreed. "I don't think anyone's in the mood to go back to work," Lillian Speedie, vice-president of CUPE Local 4092, told the CBC outside Toronto Pearson International Airport Sunday. "To legislate us back to work 12 hours after we started? I'm sorry, snowstorms have shut down Air Canada for longer than we were allowed to strike." Air Canada has said it offered flight attendants a 38 percent increase in total compensation over four years, and an 'industry leading' formula for ground pay, covering the time when cabin crew are not yet airborne. The union, meanwhile, says this figure is misleading, and that the pay raise is actually about half that. It has also accused the airline of offering a lowering wage increase to the largely female flight attendant workforce, compared to a 26 percent hike for largely male pilots last year.
USA Today
4 hours ago
- Business
- USA Today
Canadian government moves to end Air Canada strike
The Canadian government wants an arbitrator to end a strike by Air Canada's flight attendants. Most Air Canada flights were grounded Saturday, Aug. 16, as the carrier's flight attendants began an indefinite strike. According to FlightAware, 86% of Air Canada's Saturday schedule had been canceled, as well as 96% of Air Canada Rouge's schedule as of 9:20 a.m. ET. To end the strike, Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said she had directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to impose binding arbitration on both sides. The board will extend the airline and attendants' current collective agreement until an arbitrator determines a new one, she said, in a statement issued Saturday afternoon, Aug. 16. "I have exercised my authorities under Section 107 of the Canadian Labor Code to direct the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to order the parties to resume and continue their operations and duties in order to secure industrial peace and protect the interests of Canada, Canadians and the economy," she said. Air Canada had no immediate comment about Hajdu's decision, saying "it is premature to comment as the CIRB process is underway." Canadian Union of Public Employees spokesperson Hugh Pouliot told Reuters the strike will end only when the CIRB issues binding arbitration notice to the parties, which could take a few days. However, the flight attendant's group decried the government's move as giving Air Canada "exactly what they wanted," in a statement posted on X. "Air Canada should come and join us in good faith and address the matters that really resonate with our members,' said Henly Larden, an Air Canada flight attendant and a vice-president at CUPE, who spoke to Reuters in a shaken voice at Vancouver airport. Air Canada prepped for strike ahead of walkout The airline began winding down its operations on Aug. 13 in preparation for the walk-off and warned in a statement that it expects about 130,000 passengers worldwide to be affected each day of the strike. Flight attendants walked off the job after their union negotiators reached an impasse with the airline management over wages and compensation. Air Canada is offering a waiver to passengers whose flights might be affected, allowing travelers who booked their flight by Aug. 14 to move their tickets to travel between Aug. 21 and Sept. 12 without paying a fee or fare difference. More information about the waiver is available on Air Canada's website. AirAdvisor, a consumer airline refund website, suggests that as the strike would impact roughly as 27,000 U.S passengers per day. While Air Canada is not a major carrier within the U.S., it is a key link across the border and a popular choice for connecting flights to Europe and Asia for American travelers. According to AirAdvisor, Air Canada has up to 135 flights a day from the U.S. to its hubs in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, with New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle and Miami seeing the most service. The airline operates some flights from the U.S. to other non-hub destinations in Canada as well. Flights operated by Air Canada's regional partners, Jazz and PAL, would operate during the strike. The airline warned that it is trying to get passengers reaccommodated on other carriers, but that seat availability is limited. "Customers whose flights are cancelled will be notified and they will be eligible for a full refund, which can be obtained online at or through the Air Canada mobile app. The company has made arrangements with other Canadian and foreign carriers to provide customers alternative travel options to the extent possible," Air Canada's statement said. "Customers will be notified of alternative travel options that are identified for them. However, given other carriers are already very full due to the summer travel peak, securing such capacity will take time and, in many cases, will not be immediately possible." As a major United Airlines partner, thanks to both carriers' membership in the Star Alliance, United Airlines is likely to see the most overflow for rebookings among carriers in the U.S. What is Air Canada? Air Canada is the flag carrier and largest airline in Canada. As a member of Star Alliance, its partners include United Airlines, Lufthansa, All Nippon Airways and a number of other global carriers. How big is Air Canada in the US? Air Canada is the biggest airline connecting Canadian markets to U.S. destinations, and also a major option for those looking to connect from the U.S. to Europe or Asia. 'What makes this strike particularly disruptive is its timing and scope. We're in the peak summer travel window, when planes are already running at 85-90% capacity and last-minute alternatives are scarce," Anton Radchenko, AirAdvisor's founder, said in a statement. "Air Canada isn't just another carrier; it's the primary connector between the US and Canada, handling thousands of passengers daily across leisure, business, and essential travel. When its network seizes up, the ripple effect touches every major US hub, from JFK and LAX to Seattle and Miami." He said northern U.S. airline hubs are likely to see increased traffic as Air Canada passengers to and from overseas destinations get rebooked through American markets. U.S. passengers heading to Europe via Toronto or Montreal, or to Asia via Vancouver, are also likely to encounter issues during the strike. Contributing: Mike Snider, USA TODAY; Reuters. (This story was updated to add new information.)
