Air Canada flight attendants walked off the job on August 16, 2025. Their union, CUPE, pointed to low pay and unpaid hours on the ground. The action halted hundreds of flights right away.
The Canadian government jumped in fast. Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu ordered binding arbitration that same day. She cited economic strain from other issues.
Flight attendants felt shortchanged by the move. They called it a gift to the airline. CUPE leaders vowed to fight the order in court.
Travelers faced chaos at airports. Over 100,000 people got stuck worldwide. Many hunted for other ways to fly home.
Air Canada promised restarts on August 17 evening. Yet, some trips would stay canceled for days. The airline aimed for normal ops in a week or so.
Union reps stood firm against returning. They gathered at picket lines in big cities. Protests popped up outside Toronto and Montreal hubs.
One attendant shared her frustration. She noted pilots earned big raises last year. Most pilots are men, while attendants are mostly women.
The government defended its step. Hajdu said talks hit a wall. She wanted to ease burdens on families and firms.
Air Canada claimed a generous offer. It included 38% pay hikes over time. The union said it fell short on inflation.
Unpaid work sparked the main beef. Attendants get no cash for boarding tasks. They push for full pay from start to end.
Stranded folks told wild tales. One group camped in lounges overnight. Another rerouted through odd spots to get back.
The strike lasted under 12 hours before the order. That speed surprised many observers. Unions worried about future rights.
CUPE accused Air Canada of stalling talks. They bet on government help. The airline denied the charge.
Binding arbitration now looms. An outside expert will decide terms. Both sides must accept the call.
Flights by partner lines kept going. Air Canada Express stayed in the air. That helped some routes.
Passengers got options from the airline. Refunds or rebooks came quick. Yet, peak summer crowds made fixes tough.
Union president Wesley Lesosky spoke out. He blasted high exec pay amid low worker wages. Profits soared, but shares stayed flat.
Government use of labor laws grew common. Ports and rails saw similar stops last year. Analysts flagged risks to bargaining power.
Defiance added twists to the saga. Flight attendants ignored the 2 p.m. deadline. Legal battles could drag on.
Air Canada held off on comments. Spokespeople stayed mum on next moves. Operations hung in limbo.
Travel agents buzzed with calls. Alternatives filled up fast. Prices spiked for last-minute seats.
One traveler joked about the mess. He packed extra snacks for delays. His flight turned into a surprise vacation extension.
Union called for nationwide support. Demonstrations hit Calgary and Vancouver too. Signs demanded fair deals.
Government stressed public impact. Hajdu linked it to tariff woes. Economy needed no more hits.
Air Canada Rouge felt the pinch too. Its attendants joined the walkout. Rouge handles leisure routes.
CIRB enforced the back-to-work rule. It extended old contract terms. New deal waits on arbitration.
Union challenged the order’s legality. They argued it broke strike rights. Courts might weigh in soon.
Passengers shared gripes online. Tweets flew about missed weddings. Others laughed at airport naps.
Analytics firm Cirium tracked cancels. Over 671 flights gone by Saturday afternoon. Numbers climbed higher.
Air Canada warned of ripple effects. Schedules would wobble for 10 days. Patience became key for flyers.
CUPE local president Natasha Stea voiced sorrow. She hated stranding Canadians. But free work had to stop.
Government hailed the intervention. It aimed to restore peace. Travelers hoped for swift flights. Union pushed for direct talks. They invited Air Canada back. Arbitration felt forced on them.
Stranded groups formed bonds. They swapped stories in terminals. Some turned delays into games.
Air Canada touted safety first. Crew training stayed up. Resumes would go smooth, they said. Experts eyed precedents set. Frequent halts might chill unions. Workers’ leverage could shrink.
Flight attendants geared up for more action. Picket signs stayed ready. Spirits held high despite orders.
Government monitored the standoff. Updates came hourly. Resolution seemed close yet far. Passengers adjusted plans. Many drove or took trains. Adventures replaced quick trips.
Union highlighted gender gaps. Women bore brunt of low pay. Pilots’ deals showed contrast.
Air Canada focused on customers. Apologies flowed in emails. Vouchers eased some pains.
The story unfolded fast. Strike, order, defiance in days. Eyes stayed on skies for normalcy.
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