‘We defy ‘back-to-work’ order’, striking Air Canada flight attendants

18-Aug-2025

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Air Canada’s striking 10,000 flight attendants on August 17 defied government-backed labor board's order to return to work, forcing the airline to delay restarting its operations and leaving its passengers in limbo. 

Calling the order unconstitutional and "designed to protect the airline's profit” The Canadian Union of Public Employees said the 10,000 flight attendants it represents said ‘it would remain on strike and invited Air Canada the country's largest airline back to the table to "negotiate a fair deal."    

The Canadian Union of Public Employees said calling the order unconstitutional and "designed to protect the airline's profit." Instead, it invited Air Canada — the country's largest airline — back to the table to "negotiate a fair deal."

In response, the airline said it would delay plans to restart operations from Aug. 17 until Aug. 18.

At the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Aug 17 many travellers were confused and frustrated by the union’s refusal to obey the order. Many of them were camped out in airport lounges, uncertain whether when and if flights would resume or whether Air Canada would make tentative arrangements.

Elizabeth Fourney of Vancouver said, "We are kind of left to figure it out for ourselves and fend for ourselves with no recourse or options provided by Air Canada at this time".  

Francesca Tondini, a 50-year-old from Italy, said she was about to return home after visiting Canada when her flight was cancelled on Aug. 16 and again on Aug. 17. 

When she asked Air Canada when the flight would finally depart, the airline responded: "Maybe tomorrow, maybe Tuesday, maybe Friday, maybe Saturday - they don't know!" she said.

The flight attendants began their strike early on Aug. 16, after negotiations that had dragged on for months reached an impasse. In anticipation, the airline cancelled most of its 700 daily flights, forcing more than 100,000 travelers to scramble for alternatives.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board within hours of the strike declaration, complied with a request by Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu and ordered binding arbitration. The Canada Labor Code gives the government the power to ask the CIRB to impose such an order in the interest of protecting the economy. 

Government steps in 

Air Canada had encouraged the government to act, while CUPE had pushed for a negotiated solution, saying binding arbitration would take pressure off the airline.

Rafael Gomez, a professor of employment relations at the University of Toronto said, "The federal government has entrusted a board to administer these rules in the Canadian Labor Code, and if you defy them, you are transgressing and essentially violating the law".  

All operations of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge were suspended on August 16  due to a strike by Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).