Air Canada flights were disrupted over the weekend after thousands of flight attendants went on strike and rejected a federal order to return to work.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents 10,000 attendants, said it will ask a judge to block the government’s directive imposing binding arbitration. The strike began Saturday, grounding flights nationwide.
“Until our bid is heard, we remain on strike,” the union said. Julie Potvin, a Montreal-based union vice president, accused the government of rewarding the airline’s “bad-faith negotiations.” She added, “We do what Air Canada flight attendants do best, and that’s apologize on behalf of Air Canada.”
Air Canada called the strike illegal and said flights would begin resuming Monday evening, though it warned full operations may not recover for a week. The airline is rebooking passengers on other carriers and offering refunds or credits.
Protesters rallied outside Toronto’s Pearson International Airport and Montreal’s Trudeau Airport on Sunday, chanting “No flights without our rights,” waving flags and drawing support from passing motorists.
Labor Minister Patty Hajdu said she imposed arbitration after meeting with both sides and seeing little chance of a deal. The Canadian Industrial Relations Board will oversee the process.
Months of negotiations had stalled over pay. Air Canada had requested binding arbitration before the strike began. The airline also warned the work stoppage could affect its cargo network, which ships pharmaceuticals and organ donations through global hubs in London and Frankfurt.
