Air Canada Strike Declared Illegal, Flight Attendants Ordered Back

Air Canada Labor Dispute Escalates

The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) has ruled the ongoing strike by Air Canada flight attendants illegal. Approximately 10,000 cabin crew members ignored previous return-to-work orders before the CIRB intervention.

Contract Negotiations Deadlock

Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and Air Canada management failed to reach agreement after eight months of negotiations. Key demands include higher wages, improved pensions, and compensation for pre-flight and post-flight duties. Currently, flight attendants are only paid from brake release at departure to brake application at arrival.

Massive Travel Disruptions

Air Canada's 700 daily flights transport approximately 130,000 passengers. The strike has caused significant cancellations, including today's flights between Amsterdam Schiphol and Canadian destinations Toronto and Montreal.

Legal Enforcement and Next Steps

The CIRB mandated CUPE to order members back to work by 12:00 local time. Consequences for non-compliance remain unspecified. This labor action highlights ongoing disputes in the aviation industry regarding compensation for ground duties.