Air Canada flight attendant strike ends amid slow recovery of operations
After a tense four-day impasse, Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing approximately 10,000 flight attendants, have reached a tentative agreement, bringing an end to the strike that grounded much of the airline’s operations and unsettled hundreds of thousands of travelers. Some service would resume as early as today, however, full recovery of the flight schedule is expected to take up to 10 days.
Breakthrough in negotiations
Late Monday night, mediated discussions culminated in a tentative agreement aimed at resolving one of the union’s primary concerns: compensation for ground time—work performed before takeoff and after landing that was traditionally unpaid. CUPE called it a “transformational change” and declared, “Unpaid work is over.”
Strike Ends, but Turbulence Remains
Air Canada confirmed that flights would begin resuming Tuesday evening, though it cautioned that full restoration of service would likely take 7 to 10 days. The company has urged customers to remain patient amid ongoing schedule disruptions and will offer refunds, credits, or alternate flight arrangements to affected passengers.
Background: The Conflict Over Ground Pay
The strike, which began on August 16, stemmed from a longstanding dispute over compensation for flight attendants during ground duties—boarding passengers, prepping the cabin, or waiting on the tarmac. CUPE argued this unpaid labor could amount to approximately 35 hours monthly, pushing compensation below minimum wage.
Air Canada had offered a significant compensation increase—between 38% and 40% over four years—asserting it would make their attendants the highest-paid in the country. The union, however, criticized the offer as insufficient and below inflation.
Government Intervention and Legal Tensions
The federal government, citing the disruption’s impact on vital transportation networks, invoked Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code. The Canada Industrial Relations Board deemed the strike unlawful and issued back-to-work orders. CUPE defied them, standing firm on its demands.
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu initiated the arbitration process and launched a probe into allegations of unpaid work, while CUPE’s leadership remained defiant—even signaling readiness to face legal consequences rather than relent.
At its peak, the walkout affected about 130,000 passengers per day, leading to thousands of flight cancellations.
Passengers Caught in the Crossfire
At its peak, the walkout affected about 130,000 passengers per day, leading to thousands of flight cancellations—domestic and international. Air Canada suspended its quarterly and annual financial guidance amid mounting operational chaos.
Passengers were offered either refunds or rebooking options, though the peak summer season significantly limited alternate capacity. Some UK-bound travelers faced costs double their original fare and were forced into complex routing.
What Happens Next?
CUPE will now present the tentative agreement to its members for a ratification vote. Air Canada, meanwhile, embarks on the complex task of returning flights—and confidence—to the skies. The airline holds that, while some disruptions will linger for up to 10 days, service will gradually normalize thereafter.