Toronto: The strike by nearly 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants entered its fourth day on Tuesday, continuing to disrupt travel for hundreds of thousands of passengers during the peak summer travel season. The walkout, led by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), has forced widespread cancellations and delays on both domestic and international routes.
Talks between Air Canada and the union resumed on Monday night in Toronto under the supervision of mediator William Kaplan, marking the first direct negotiations since the strike began. However, no breakthrough has yet been achieved, and operations remain suspended through Tuesday afternoon.
The dispute intensified after the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) declared the strike unlawful and ordered attendants back to work. CUPE has refused to comply, insisting the order is unconstitutional. Union leaders, including national president Mark Hancock, have vowed to defy the ruling even if it results in legal consequences such as jail time.
At the heart of the conflict is the issue of unpaid work on the ground, such as time spent boarding passengers. The union demands that these hours be included in compensation. Air Canada has proposed what it describes as a 38 percent increase in total compensation over four years, a package it says would make its flight attendants the highest-paid in the country. CUPE disputes the figure, arguing that the actual wage increase amounts to only 17.2 percent, which they say falls short of inflation and leaves some entry-level workers below the federal minimum wage.
Government officials have stepped in to address the crisis. Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu has launched a probe into allegations of unpaid labor practices in the airline industry while urging both sides to reach an agreement quickly. Prime Minister Mark Carney has also called for a resolution, citing the massive disruption to travelers and the broader economic impact.
The strike has already taken a financial toll on Air Canada. The airline has suspended its financial guidance for the third quarter and full year of 2025, while its shares have dropped nearly three percent since the walkout began. The disruption has also raised concerns among business groups and labor unions about possible ripple effects across Canada’s transportation and tourism sectors.
The outcome of the ongoing mediation will determine whether flights can resume in the coming days or whether the standoff will deepen further, prolonging the hardships for both travelers and workers.