TORONTO, Aug 18 (Alliance News): Air Canada flight attendants remained on strike Sunday, ignoring a government-backed labour board order to return to work, forcing the airline to delay resuming operations until Monday evening.
The strike, involving more than 10,000 attendants, has grounded about 700 flights and left over 100,000 passengers stranded.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) said its members would not return until a “fair deal” was negotiated, calling the Canada Industrial Relations Board’s (CIRB) back-to-work order unconstitutional.
The union also criticized CIRB chair Maryse Tremblay, citing a conflict of interest due to her past work as senior counsel for Air Canada.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government, which had invoked the Canada Labour Code to protect the economy, asked the CIRB to impose binding arbitration after months of stalled negotiations.
The government’s next steps could include seeking court enforcement of the order or passing legislation once Parliament reconvenes on September 15.
Air Canada had planned to restart flights on Sunday but announced further delays as the strike entered its second day. The dispute centres on pay for time spent on the ground between flights and during passenger boarding, which attendants argue is unpaid labour.
Other unions joined picket lines in Toronto in solidarity, accusing the government of eroding workers’ rights.
Meanwhile, stranded passengers at Toronto Pearson International Airport expressed frustration over the uncertainty and lack of clear alternatives from the airline.
Air Canada confirmed the CIRB ordered the extension of the expired collective agreement until a new deal is reached. The strike is the first by Air Canada flight attendants since 1985.
