Air Canada announced on Sunday it has suspended its plans to resume a limited flight schedule after flight attendants defied a direction from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to return to work. The carrier had hoped to relaunch some services on Sunday evening, but with staff still on strike, more than 240 flights set to depart that afternoon were cancelled.
For context, Air Canada and its subsidiary Air Canada Rouge usually run around 700 daily flights. The sudden halt has ripple effects for business travellers, digital nomads and holidaymakers alike—leaving airports bustling with stranded passengers and prompting urgent rebooking efforts.
Canada’s Minister of Jobs and Families, Patty Hajdu, invoked her authority under the Canada Labour Code on Saturday, directing the CIRB to arbitrate the dispute after eight months of stalled negotiations. Key sticking points have included compensation increases, ground pay, pensions and benefits, as well as improved crew-rest standards.
With arbitration set to start, the airline says it plans to restart operations on Monday evening once an interim order is in place. In the meantime, travellers are advised to check Air Canada’s flight status and explore alternative routes where possible.
This ongoing labour dispute underscores the delicate balance between essential services and workers’ rights, highlighting how decisions in the boardroom can directly impact people’s lives around the globe.
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Air Canada suspends restart plans as flight attendants continue strike
cgtn.com
