Air Canada has reached a tentative agreement with nearly 10,000 flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), bringing an end to a strike that grounded the airline’s mainline operations, stranded more than 130,000 passengers daily, and sparked a national debate over labor rights in aviation.
The strike began on August 16, 2025, when flight attendants walked off the job demanding higher wages and compensation for unpaid ground duties such as boarding, assisting passengers before takeoff, and deplaning. Cabin crew argued these tasks were essential but excluded from paid hours, leading to significant wage losses.
CUPE leaders repeatedly emphasized that flight attendants are more than service staff they are trained to handle emergencies, in-flight disruptions, and evacuations. They insisted that fair pay was essential to morale, recognition, and the long-term safety culture of Canadian aviation.
Defiance and Fallout
The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) declared the strike unlawful and issued a back-to-work order. The federal government, through Labour Minister Patty Hajdu, attempted to enforce binding arbitration. However, CUPE defied both measures, with its president Mark Hancock insisting the union would not be intimidated, even under threat of fines or jail.
This defiance elevated the dispute into a political flashpoint, questioning the balance of power between organized labor and government authority.
Impact on Passengers
The strike’s effect on travelers was immediate and severe:
- All Air Canada mainline flights, including Air Canada Rouge, were suspended.
- Regional flights under Air Canada Express (operated by Jazz and PAL) continued at reduced capacity.
- More than 2,500 flights canceled in the first four days.
- An estimated 130,000 passengers stranded daily, both within Canada and abroad.
Airports across Canada and at international hubs were overwhelmed with long queues and disrupted connections. Air Canada introduced flexible rebooking and refund policies, but alternatives quickly became scarce as demand surged.
The Agreement
On August 19, 2025, after mediated negotiations resumed, the two sides announced a tentative agreement. CUPE hailed the deal as “transformational change for our industry.” In a statement, spokesman Hugh Pouliot declared: “Unpaid work is over. We have reclaimed our voice and our power.”
The agreement must still be ratified through a union membership vote. If rejected, the strike could resume, but for now, flights are set to gradually restart. Air Canada warned it could take up to a week to fully resume its schedule, apologizing to customers for the massive disruption.
Public Opinion and Wider Significance
Public sentiment remains divided. Many passengers expressed frustration over ruined plans, while labor advocates celebrated the union’s success in forcing recognition of unpaid work. The dispute has raised broader questions about labor rights in Canadian aviation and the role of government intervention in strikes.
The tentative deal marks a turning point for flight attendants, with potential long-term impacts on labor negotiations across the industry. For Air Canada, the challenge now lies in rebuilding trust, restoring operations, and moving forward after one of the most disruptive strikes in its history.
What’s Next?
- Union members will vote on ratification in the coming days.
- Air Canada schedules will be restored gradually over the next week.
- Industry observers are calling this dispute a watershed moment, likely to influence labor relations well beyond aviation.
Follow Aviation2Day for the latest updates as Air Canada works to restore its operations and cabin crew prepare to vote on this landmark agreement.
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