Toronto, August 16 – In a historic disruption to Canada’s aviation sector, more than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants launched a full-scale strike early Saturday morning, prompting the airline to suspend all operations nationwide. This marks the first strike by the airline’s cabin crew since 1985 and comes at the height of the busy summer travel season.
The mass walkout began around 1 a.m. ET, following a prolonged and bitter contract dispute between Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). With no deal reached after months of negotiation, flight attendants officially hit the picket lines, impacting an estimated 130,000 passengers per day.
Services Suspended, Airports in Disarray
Air Canada, in a public statement, urged customers not to go to the airport unless they hold a confirmed ticket with another airline. The company operates around 700 flights daily, and the complete shutdown has thrown travel plans into chaos across the country and beyond.
“We deeply regret the uncertainty caused to our customers and employees,” Air Canada stated. “We are working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.”
CUPE Slams Airline on Working Conditions
The CUPE, representing the flight attendants, announced the strike via its official website: “We are now officially on strike.”
Union spokesperson Hugh Pouliot said the action was triggered by the airline’s refusal to meaningfully address “longstanding issues of fatigue, fair compensation, and respect for frontline staff.” He added, “We’re here to bargain a deal, not to go on strike,” highlighting the union’s frustration with Air Canada’s failure to respond to recent proposals.
Eight Months of Talks, No Agreement
The contract dispute has dragged on for over eight months, with both sides failing to finalize a tentative agreement. Air Canada’s latest offer reportedly included a 25% pay and benefits increase in the first year, rising to 38% over four years, along with a commitment to pay attendants for certain duties performed while on the ground — a major point of contention, as cabin crew are currently only compensated once the aircraft is in motion.
Despite these concessions, CUPE rejected the deal, emphasizing that it did not go far enough to address key concerns.
Government Mediation Rejected
Efforts to avoid the strike were further hampered after the union declined Air Canada’s request to involve a third-party mediator, arguing that government-led arbitration could undermine their right to strike. The standoff now leaves little room for immediate resolution unless either party shifts its position.
Economic Fallout Looms
Analysts are already predicting serious financial fallout. According to TD Cowen’s aviation analyst Tom Fitzgerald, Air Canada risks losing approximately C$75 million (US$54 million) in earnings for each day the strike continues. With the airline already grappling with post-pandemic recovery challenges, the disruption could have significant long-term consequences.
What’s Next?
With no breakthrough in sight, the Air Canada strike represents a critical test for labor relations in the aviation industry. As tens of thousands of travelers scramble for alternatives, pressure is mounting on both the airline and the union to return to the table and hammer out a deal.
