Aviation services by Air Canada halt temporarily due to flight attendants engaging in a work stoppage
Air Canada's operations, which had been suspended since August 16, 2025, due to a flight attendants' strike, have gradually resumed service starting August 19, 2025. The strike, led by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing 10,000 flight attendants, lasted for three days until a mediated agreement was reached.
The suspension of operations affected around 130,000 people daily, and about 25,000 Canadians may have been stranded abroad. The strike was the result of eight months of contract negotiations without a tentative deal, during which Air Canada offered a 38% total compensation increase over four years with no concessions requested from flight attendants.
The key issues in the negotiations included compensation, ground pay, pensions and benefits, increased crew rest, and other improvements. However, CUPE rejected the proposal, stating that the proposed 8% raise in the first year does not account for inflation.
The federal government intervened after the strike started, mandating a return to work and arbitration. After mediation under a mutually agreed mediator, both parties reached an agreement.
Passengers whose travel was impacted by the strike can request a full refund on Air Canada's website or mobile app. The airline's Chief Operating Officer, Mark Nasr, has stated that it could take up to a week to fully restart operations once a tentative deal is reached.
The strike has resulted in a waiting game for passengers like Laroche, who are struggling to find alternative flights. Both sides are far apart on the issues of pay and unpaid work flight attendants do when planes aren't in the air. The airline's offer, if accepted, would make flight attendants the best compensated in Canada.
Air Canada operates approximately 700 flights per day, which have been suspended due to the strike. The union's concerns about pay include the low livable wage for flight attendants. Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu met with both the airline and union on Friday night and urged them to work towards a deal.
The strike has highlighted the importance of timely resolution of labour disputes to minimize disruptions for passengers and maintain the smooth functioning of the airline industry. As operations gradually resume, Air Canada and CUPE will continue their negotiations to reach a long-term agreement that addresses the concerns of both parties.
- In Bellevue, Washington, a general-news broadcast discussed the impact of Air Canada's strike on passengers, discussing the waiting game many were facing to find alternative flights.
- The airline industry in Seattle was also affected by Air Canada's strike, with businesses and sports events potentially experiencing reduced tourism due to the interrupted travel.
- While Air Canada's resumption of operations is a sign of progress, finance experts are closely monitoring the situation to evaluate any potential financial implications on the company.
- Some critics, like government officials and industry analysts, argue that these strikes highlight the need for stricter regulations on labor contracts within the aviation sector to prevent such disruptions in the future.
