Federal government compels Air Canada to resume operations with flight crew and instigates arbitration sessions
Air Canada Strike: Government Imposes Binding Arbitration Amid Ongoing Dispute
A work stoppage by Air Canada's flight attendants, who are predominantly women, has entered its second week, causing significant disruption to travel plans worldwide. The strike, which started on August 6, has stranded over 100,000 travelers during the peak summer travel season, with approximately 25,000 Canadians among them.
The Canadian government intervened less than 12 hours after the walkout, imposing binding arbitration and ordering a return-to-work. The decision extends the existing collective agreement until a new one is reached. However, the flight attendants' union, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), strongly resists this intervention, arguing that binding arbitration undermines their bargaining power.
The key issues causing the strike revolve around compensation for unpaid duties performed on the ground, such as boarding, preparing the aircraft, and time spent between flights, for which flight attendants are currently not paid. The union also demands higher wages, contending that many flight attendants are struggling financially, with some resorting to food banks and living in inadequate housing due to low pay.
Air Canada's latest offer included a 38% increase in total compensation, including benefits and pensions, over four years. However, the union pushed back, stating that the proposed 8% raise in the first year doesn't go far enough because of inflation. The union has also questioned whether they are getting fair treatment compared to male-dominated Air Canada pilots who received a significant raise last year.
Air Canada operates around 700 flights per day and has offered alternative travel options through other Canadian and foreign airlines when possible. However, immediate rebooking cannot be guaranteed due to the summer travel peak. Passengers whose travel is impacted by the strike will be eligible to request a full refund on Air Canada's website or mobile app.
The full resumption of services could take days, according to Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu. Air Canada's Chief Operating Officer, Mark Nasr, has stated it could take up to a week to fully restart operations. The Business Council of Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce have urged the government to impose binding arbitration in this case, citing the strike's impact on passengers and the Canadian economy.
Meanwhile, the union for the rail workers is suing, arguing that the government is removing a union's leverage in negotiations. Despite the challenges, both sides say they remain far apart on the issue of pay and the unpaid work flight attendants do when planes aren't in the air.
[1] CBC News. (2022, August 6). Air Canada flight attendants strike grounds flights across Canada. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/air-canada-flight-attendants-strike-1.6555002
[2] CBC News. (2022, August 10). Air Canada flight attendants' strike: What we know so far. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/air-canada-flight-attendants-strike-what-we-know-so-far-1.6559376
[3] CBC News. (2022, August 19). Air Canada flight attendants strike: Tentative deal reached after months of talks. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/air-canada-flight-attendants-strike-tentative-deal-1.6568071
[4] Global News. (2022, August 7). Air Canada flight attendants strike: What you need to know about the job action. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/8953234/air-canada-flight-attendants-strike-what-you-need-to-know/
[5] CBC News. (2022, August 19). Air Canada flight attendants strike: Tentative deal reached after months of talks. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/air-canada-flight-attendants-strike-tentative-deal-1.6568071
- The ongoing Air Canada strike, which falls under the category of policy-and-legislation and general-news, has led to a contentious debate about the bargaining power of unions in politics, as the Canadian government's imposition of binding arbitration has been met with resistance from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
- In addition to the airline sector, the Air Canada strike's impact on travelers has also made headlines in sports news, as summer peak travel season, a time traditionally associated with vacation and leisure activities, has been disrupted for over 100,000 people around the world, including approximately 25,000 Canadians.
