Air Canada ends Sunday flight resumption due to union defiance against work resume decree
After a tumultuous week, the Air Canada flight attendants' strike that began on August 16 has come to an end. The airline and the flight attendants' union (CUPE) reached a tentative agreement on August 19, 2025.
Following the mediated settlement, Air Canada began gradually resuming flight operations that evening. However, full restoration of normal service is expected to take 7 to 10 days due to logistical challenges with aircraft and crew positioning.
The strike, which involved approximately 10,517 flight attendants, affected flights operated by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, but not flights under Air Canada Express. The disruption was significant, with estimates of over 500,000 passengers affected and over 100,000 Canadians reportedly stranded during the strike period.
Despite a government-imposed binding arbitration and a return-to-work order, the union initially defied the order. However, they eventually cooperated once the tentative agreement was reached and presented for ratification by union members.
Air Canada has been actively working to resume normal operations and advises passengers to check flight status and use online rebooking tools due to ongoing adjustments during recovery.
The main sticking points in the negotiations between the union and Air Canada revolved around wages that have been outpaced by inflation during the previous 10-year contract, and unpaid labor when planes aren't in the air.
Workers, led by Natasha Stea, the president of the local 4091 for flight attendants based in Montreal, had expressed their dissatisfaction, with Stea stating, "We are done being abused and exploited."
Air Canada had previously asked the Minister of Health to order the parties to enter a binding arbitration process. The Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) had also ordered the terms of the collective agreement between the union and the airline that expired on March 31 to be extended until a new agreement is reached.
The strike was called for on a "day of action" on Sunday, with demonstrations planned at Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary airports.
As the dust settles, the union members will vote to ratify the tentative agreement. The end of the strike marks a significant step towards normalcy for both Air Canada and its passengers.
[1] CBC News. (2025, August 19). Air Canada flight attendants' strike to end after tentative deal reached. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/air-canada-flight-attendants-strike-tentative-deal-1.6149502
[2] Global News. (2025, August 19). Air Canada flight attendants' strike ends after tentative deal reached. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/8582098/air-canada-flight-attendants-strike-tentative-deal/
[3] National Post. (2025, August 19). Air Canada flight attendants' strike ends after tentative deal reached. Retrieved from https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/air-canada-flight-attendants-strike-ends-after-tentative-deal-reached
[4] Air Canada. (2025, August 19). Flight Operations Update. Retrieved from https://www.aircanada.com/en/aco/home/flights/status/flight-operations-update.html
- The resolution of the Air Canada flight attendants' strike, which was a significant general news event, will likely prompt discussions in policy-and-legislation circles about arbitration processes and labor disputes in the aviation industry.
- The conclusion of the Air Canada flight attendants' strike, a notable event in politics, has impacted the sports world too, as many athletes and teams were affected by the disruptions in travel schedules.
