The federal government is intervening to resolve a labour dispute between Air Canada and the union representing the carrier’s 10,000 flight attendants.
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu says she has ordered binding arbitration and for operations to resume.
“After eight months of negotiations by the parties, and after meeting with both parties last night and urging them to work hard to reach a deal, it is disappointing to have to conclude today that Air Canada and CUPE flight attendants are at an impasse and remain unable to resolve their dispute,” Hajdu said in a statement.
“The government firmly believes that the best deals are reached by the parties at the bargaining table. It has now become clear that this dispute won’t be resolved at the table. Canadians are increasingly finding themselves in very difficult situations and the strike is rapidly impacting the Canadian economy,” the minister added.
“Canadians rely on air travel to connect families, workers, and communities to each other and the world. Despite significant supports from the government, these parties have been unable to resolve their differences in a timely manner.
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“That is why I exercised my authorities under section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to direct the Canada Industrial Relations Board to arbitrate this dispute,” she added. “I am exercising this authority because it is critical to maintaining and securing industrial peace, protecting Canadians and promoting conditions to resolve the dispute. Despite the parties’ resolution of several key differences, the CIRB is best positioned to help them find a solution on the outstanding items.”
Hajdu said the nationwide labour disruption is impeding the movement of passengers and critical cargo during a year “in which Canadian families and businesses have already experienced too much disruption and uncertainty.”
“This is not the time to add additional challenges and disruptions to their lives and our economy,” she said. “The government must act to preserve stability and supply chains in this unique and uncertain economic context.”
Air Canada cancelled more than 600 flights over the past two days in preparation for a potential work stoppage, and Hajdu says it could be days before service returns to normal.
Passengers around the world are feeling the effects after the union representing more than 10,000 flight attendants with Air Canada announced its members were walking off the job after it was unable to reach an eleventh-hour deal with the airline.
The strike officially began just before 1 a.m. ET on Saturday and in turn, Air Canada locked out its agents about 30 minutes later due to the strike action.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu orders Air Canada and striking flight attendants back to work
