Air Canada has announced a gradual resumption of operations following an agreement with the union representing its 10,000 flight attendants, effectively ending a strike that disrupted travel plans for many.
The agreement, reached after renewed talks, addresses key concerns that led to the strike, particularly regarding compensation for work performed while planes are on the ground. This was a central sticking point in negotiations.
The union expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “Unpaid work is over. We have reclaimed our voice and our power.” They highlighted the strength and determination of their members in securing an agreement that will be put to a vote.
Canada’s largest airline anticipates that flights will begin to resume Tuesday evening, marking the start of a complex process to restore regular service. However, a full return to the normal schedule may take between seven and ten days.
CEO Michael Rousseau acknowledged the challenges involved in restarting a major carrier and requested patience from customers as the airline works to stabilize its operations. Some flights will inevitably face cancellations during this period.
The airline has stated that mediation discussions “were begun on the basis that the union commit to have the airline’s 10,000 flight attendants immediately return to work.” Air Canada has refrained from providing further details about the agreement until the ratification process is complete. It confirmed that no strike or lockout can occur during this time.
This breakthrough followed the union’s initial stance that flight attendants would not return to work, even after the strike was declared illegal by the Canada Industrial Relations Board. The board, an independent administrative tribunal responsible for interpreting and applying Canada’s labor laws, had ordered the flight attendants to resume their duties.
Prior to the agreement, Air Canada had announced that rolling cancellations would continue through Tuesday afternoon, as the union initially defied the return-to-work order. The union had also rejected a previous order to submit to binding arbitration and end the strike by Sunday afternoon.
Labor leaders have voiced concerns about the Canadian government’s repeated intervention through legislation that curtails workers’ right to strike and mandates arbitration. This approach has been used in recent disputes involving workers in ports, railways, and other sectors.
The union emphasized the importance of preserving their members’ right to vote on their wages, stating, “Your right to vote on your wages was preserved,” in a message posted on its website.
Air Canada typically operates approximately 700 flights daily. The airline had previously estimated that the strike could affect as many as 500,000 customers through flight cancellations.
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, by Monday afternoon, Air Canada had canceled at least 1,219 domestic flights and 1,339 international flights since the previous Thursday. This gradual suspension of operations began in anticipation of the strike and lockout, which commenced early Saturday.
Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, the largest airport in Canada, announced plans to deploy additional staff to assist passengers and facilitate the resumption of operations.
Passengers whose flights are affected by the disruptions are eligible to request a full refund through the airline’s website or mobile app, according to Air Canada.