Canadian Government Orders Air Canada Flight Attendants Back to Work

In a significant development, the Canadian government has intervened in the labor dispute between Air Canada and its flight attendants, issuing a back-to-work order to end the ongoing strike. The Minister of Employment, acting under the provisions of the Canada Labour Code, mandated that over 10,000 striking flight attendants return to work immediately. This decision came after the strike, which began at 1 AM on Saturday, had already caused significant disruptions to Air Canada's operations, leading to the cancellation of numerous flights and affecting thousands of passengers.

The strike, supported by an overwhelming 99.7% of flight attendants, was organized by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Air Canada Component. The primary demands included higher wages and paid compensation for ground work. The Minister of Employment, in a press conference in Ottawa, directed the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to order Air Canada and its employees to "resume and continue operations and fulfill their duties to ensure labor peace, protect the interests of Canada, Canadians, and the economy." This intervention was made under Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, which allows the Minister to appoint an arbitrator to resolve disputes.

The government's decision to intervene was prompted by the significant impact the strike was having on the Canadian economy and its citizens. The Minister of Employment highlighted that the strike was causing substantial harm, with flights being canceled, medications not being transported, and thousands of Canadians stranded abroad. The Minister also noted that the CIRB would be involved in reaching a settlement and extending the terms of the existing collective agreement.

Air Canada, in response to the back-to-work order, advised passengers to only go to the airport if their booking was confirmed and the flight was showing as operational. The airline also stated that it was too early to comment on the resumption of operations, given that the CIRB's procedures were still underway. The Minister of Employment indicated that the CIRB would first review the statements from both Air Canada and the workers before deciding on further intervention. The process, she noted, could take between 24 to 48 hours, with Air Canada estimating that it could take 5 to 10 days to return to normal service.

The Minister of Employment denied allegations that the government was taking an anti-union stance, stating that it was clear that Air Canada and the union workers were at an impasse and needed help in reaching a final arbitration agreement. Air Canada had previously proposed a 38% total compensation increase over four years, with a 12% to 16% raise in the first year, aiming to make its flight attendants the highest-paid in Canada. The union, however, expressed disappointment, stating that the government was infringing on their constitutional right to take labor action and was siding with Air Canada's interests.

The second-largest airline in Canada, WestJet, announced that it was reallocating larger aircraft to major routes and adding a limited number of extra flights while closely monitoring the impact of the strike. Air Canada estimated that if the stoppage continued, it could affect approximately 130,000 passengers daily. The resolution of this labor dispute is crucial for the stability of Canada's aviation industry and the broader economy, as it demonstrates the government's commitment to balancing labor rights with public interest and economic stability.