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Air Canada is facing ongoing operational challenges after cabin crew members defied a return-to-work order, following a strike that began last week. The labor action was initiated by approximately 10,000 flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), who expressed dissatisfaction during wage negotiations with the airline.
The Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) declared the strike unlawful and ordered union leaders to instruct their members to resume work. Despite this directive, CUPE leadership reportedly told striking members to continue their industrial action. The CIRB responded by requiring CUPE to publicly notify its members by noon on August 18 that it had revoked its authorization of strike activities and that all members were required to return to duty.
"Air Canada’s intended restart of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, which have been grounded since August 16 by CUPE’s labour disruption, was prevented on August 17 by the CUPE leadership’s unlawful strike activities. The airline now estimates that 500,000 customers’ flights have been cancelled as a result."
