Air Canada’s flight attendants set down their serving trays and picked up picket signs early Saturday morning, launching what union leaders are calling the largest airline work stoppage in Canadian history.
More than 9,000 flight attendants walked off the job at 12:01 a.m., after negotiations between the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and Air Canada failed to reach an agreement on key wage and working condition demands.
“This wasn’t a decision we made lightly,” said Jordan Wilson, president of the Air Canada component of CUPE, speaking to a crowd of striking workers outside Toronto Pearson International Airport. “But after months of offering solutions while management dismissed our basic needs, we had no choice but to take this stand.”
The airline has already cancelled nearly 600 flights, affecting an estimated 85,000 passengers during the height of summer travel season. Most domestic routes have been grounded, while Air Canada says it’s prioritizing international flights with reduced cabin crew.
At Vancouver International Airport, Emily Chen, a flight attendant with 12 years of experience, joined hundreds on the picket line. “We’re the face of safety on every flight, yet many of us are working second jobs just to afford rent,” Chen told me as striking workers marched behind her. “The company posted record profits last quarter while offering us barely above inflation.”
Air Canada reported $480 million in second-quarter profits, up 22% from the same period last year. The airline has been riding a strong post-pandemic recovery in travel demand, with passenger volumes approaching 2019 levels across most routes.
Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez urged both sides to return to negotiations, emphasizing the economic impact of prolonged service disruptions. “While we respect the collective bargaining process, the government expects good-faith efforts toward a resolution that keeps Canadians moving,” Rodriguez said in a statement.
For travelers, the timing couldn’t be worse. August ranks as the second-busiest travel month in Canada, with many families returning from vacations before the school year begins. At Montreal-Trudeau Airport, the departure board showed a sea of cancellations as frustrated passengers lined up at customer service desks.
“We’ve been planning this trip to see my parents in Halifax for months,” said Michel Tremblay, who was traveling with his wife and two young children. “Now we’re stuck trying to find another way there or lose our vacation entirely.”
The union’s demands center on three key issues: wage increases that match rising living costs, better scheduling practices, and improved rest periods between flights. Flight attendants currently work up to 14 hours with minimal breaks on some routes.
Air Canada spokesperson Louise McKenzie defended the company’s position, stating that their final offer included a 12.7% wage increase over four years, additional scheduling flexibility, and improved premium pay for certain routes.
“We believe our proposal addresses the core concerns while maintaining our competitive position,” McKenzie said. “We remain ready to resume talks at any time and have contingency plans to minimize passenger disruption.”
Industry analysts note that the airline faces tough choices. “Air Canada is trying to balance competing pressures,” explained Amrita Singh, aviation sector analyst with National Bank Financial. “They need to control costs while addressing legitimate worker concerns in an industry where labor shortages are becoming critical.”
The strike comes just weeks after WestJet resolved its own labor dispute with pilots, avoiding a threatened walkout that would have paralyzed much of western Canada’s air travel network.
For communities dependent on Air Canada as their primary air link, the strike creates particular hardships. Northern Ontario cities like Thunder Bay and Sudbury have few alternative carriers. Local business associations in these regions have warned about economic impacts if the strike extends beyond a few days.
“When you’re in a smaller community with limited transportation options, these disruptions hit much harder,” said Robert Montour, president of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce. “Medical travel, business meetings, family emergencies – there’s no easy backup plan.”
The federal Labour Minister has appointed a special mediator to assist negotiations, though no talks were scheduled as of Saturday afternoon. Under Canadian labor law, the government could potentially legislate an end to the strike if it deems the work stoppage a threat to the economy or public safety.
Such intervention would likely face fierce opposition from labor groups. The Canadian Labour Congress has already pledged support for the flight attendants, with several other unions joining solidarity pickets at major airports.
For now, affected passengers are being offered rebooking on other carriers where possible or full refunds. The airline has also extended its goodwill policy to cover some accommodation costs for stranded travelers, though many report difficulties accessing these benefits.
As the sun set on the first day of job action, the mood on picket lines remained resolute. Outside Calgary International Airport, striking workers shared pizza delivered by supportive pilots while maintaining their lines.
“We’re prepared to stay out as long as necessary,” said Wilson. “But every day this continues means thousands more disrupted travel plans and millions in lost revenue. The quickest resolution is for management to recognize our contributions and negotiate fairly.”
