Air Canada’s flight attendants launched a strike on Saturday, forcing the airline to cancel its entire flight schedule. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents around 10,000 attendants, announced, “We are now officially on strike.”
The airline, which normally connects travelers to 180 cities worldwide, said it had “suspended all operations” because of the labor action. It also urged passengers not to head to airports. “Air Canada is strongly advising affected customers not to go to the airport,” the airline said, adding that it “deeply regrets the effect the strike is having on customers.”
How the Strike Unfolded
CUPE had been legally able to strike after serving a 72-hour notice on Wednesday. The walkout officially began at 12:58 am on Saturday, just after the deadline. Air Canada had already started reducing services ahead of the strike. By Friday night, it had canceled 623 flights, affecting more than 100,000 passengers. Its full 700-flight daily schedule for Saturday was also canceled.
Key Issues Driving the Dispute
The dispute is not only about pay hikes. The union is also demanding compensation for unpaid ground duties, such as assisting passengers during boarding. Labor expert Rafael Gomez from the University of Toronto explained that airlines worldwide usually pay attendants only for in-flight hours. He said CUPE had built a strong campaign, making the issue clear to the public.
“An average passenger might think, ‘I’m waiting to board and a flight attendant is helping me, but they’re technically not being paid.’ That’s a very good issue to highlight,” Gomez noted. He added that any progress achieved by Air Canada staff could influence other airlines.
Airline’s Offer and Union’s Response
Air Canada revealed details of its latest offer, saying a senior attendant could earn about CAN$87,000 ($65,000) annually by 2027. However, CUPE rejected the proposal, calling it “below inflation (and) below market value.”
The union also turned down requests from both the federal government and Air Canada to resolve the matter through independent arbitration.
Possible Impact on Economy
Experts believe the strike may not last long. “This is peak season,” Gomez said. “The airline does not want to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue… They’re almost playing chicken with the flight attendants.”
However, business groups have warned of wider consequences. The Business Council of Canada said in a statement that the stoppage could cause “immediate and extensive harm” to Canadians, especially since the economy is already under strain from Donald Trump’s trade tariffs on steel, aluminum, and auto sectors.