Air Canada Drops Reboot Plan After Flight Attendants Union Resists Return Order

Air Canada Staff Ordered Back to Work as Government Steps In

Key Developments

• The Canada Industrial Relations Board directed airline personnel to return to duty by 2 PM on Sunday.
• Government intervention cleared the impasse between Air Canada and its employees.
• Air Canada confirmed plans to resume flights later that evening.

Implications for Travelers

Passengers scheduled to fly over the weekend should remain vigilant for schedule updates, as services are slated to restart once staff are back on the ground.

Summary

With the board’s mandate and government action, Air Canada’s workforce is set to resume operations, ensuring the airline can transport passengers from Sunday evening onward.

Air Canada Flight Attendant Strike Intensifies

Background

• Union Representation: 10,000 flight attendants are involved.
• Impact: Roughly 130,000 passengers worldwide are affected each day during the peak of the summer travel season.

Recent Developments

• Air Canada’s Position: The airline halted its plan to return to service on Sunday after the union announced it would resist the return‑to‑work order.
• Government Intervention: The Canada Industrial Relations Board directed airline staff to resume work by 2 pm on Sunday.
• Air Canada’s Plan: Initially, the carrier said it would restart flights Sunday evening but has now shifted the start date to Monday evening.
• Union Stance: Crew members claim the return order is unconstitutional and will continue to refuse to work until their demands are addressed.
• Air Canada’s Accusation: The airline states the union is illegally directing its flight attendants to defy a binding decision from the Industrial Relations Board.

Implications for Travelers

• Flights are likely to be canceled or rescheduled until the dispute is resolved.
• Passengers may need to seek alternative arrangements or refunds.

Union Protesters Block Departure Zone at Vancouver International Airport

On Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, a cohort of striking Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) members staged a protest outside the departures level of Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, British Columbia. The demonstrators—airline pilots, flight attendants, and other flight crew—halted the flow of passengers as they demanded better working conditions and higher pay.

In Toronto, Negotiations Stall

In a separate scene at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, CUPE’s national president Mark Hancock delivered a strongly worded message. He tore up a copy of the flight crew’s back‑to‑work directive with his own sign, “We’ll never return.”

Union Statements

• Mark Hancock—The CUPE national president—declared, “Our members are refusing to resume work.” He added, “We are saying no.” He also asserted that the crew would not come back on Tuesday even if a settlement is reached.
• Flight attendants—At Pearson—they sang “Don’t blame me, blame AC,” while holding signs calling for better wages.

Government Comment

Jennifer Kozelj, a spokesperson for the federal Minister of Jobs, Patty Hajdu, stated that “Like many Canadians, the Minister is monitoring this situation closely.” She explained that the Canada Industrial Relations Board, an independent tribunal, will help arbitrate the dispute.

What’s Next?

With the picketers at both airports taking their stand hard, all eyes are on the negotiation table. The industrial dispute remains unresolved as the airline industry continues to grapple with pay pressure and labor uncertainty.

Contract talks at an impasse

Air Canada Flight Attendants Resume Work After Government Intervention

Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu instructed the approximately 10,000 flight attendants to return to the cabin less than twelve hours after they halted operations. She argued that the current economic climate cannot afford additional disruptions and cited the recent tariffs imposed by the United States on Canadian goods as a significant concern.

Key Actions Taken

• Hajdu directed the attendants back to work, emphasizing the urgency and risk to the economy.
• The dispute was referred to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) for formal arbitration.
• The CIRB has temporarily extended the existing collective agreement until a fresh contract is negotiated.

Union and Airline Positions

The union declined Air Canada’s earlier proposal to submit their conflict to a government‑mediated arbitration process, a route that would allow a neutral third party to set new contract terms. This rejection escalated the tension on Friday. Despite the impasse, the Liberal government maintains that it is not anti‑union.

Outlook

With the temporary extension in place, stakeholders await the CIRB’s arbitration decision. Both the airline and the attendants remain at a stalemate, while the government stresses the importance of maintaining stability in the industry.

Air Canada Staff Picket at Vancouver International Airport

Impact on Travelers and Refund Options

Passengers whose journeys are disrupted can apply for a full reimbursement through Air Canada’s online portal or mobile application. The carrier also promises to explore alternative flight arrangements via other domestic and international airlines whenever feasible. However, it cautions that immediate rebooking cannot be guaranteed, citing fully booked schedules over the summer period.

Ongoing Negotiations Between Air Canada and CUPE

Negotiations have been underway for roughly eight months with no tentative agreement reached. Both parties remain at odds over wage increases and the compensation owed to flight attendants during off‑flight periods.

Air Canada’s Latest Proposal

• Proposes a 38% total wage and benefits hike spanning four years.
• Claims this would position airline staff as the most compensated in Canada.

Union Response

CUPE rejects the offer, stating that the 8% rise in the inaugural year falls short of covering inflationary pressures. It insists on a more substantial raise to adequately address rising living costs.