Over 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants who went on strike early Saturday have refused to return to work despite intervention from Canadian jobs minister Patty Hajdu, who ordered the workers to resume their duties.
At a news conference in Ottawa, Hajdu directed the CIRB to order Air Canada and its employees to “resume and continue their operations and duties in order to secure industrial peace and protect the interests of Canada, Canadians and the economy.”
Today, Air Canada withdrew its profit forecasts as hundreds of its planes remained grounded following the refusal to return to work under the government-backed order.
Air Canada issued a statement today stating, “Air Canada is suspending its guidance for third quarter and full-year 2025 operating results due to the effects of the labour disruption by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the resulting suspension of all flights.”
On Thursday, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing 10,000 workers, rejected Air Canada’s pay package after “eight months of good faith negotiations,” and initiated a strike.
The company stated, “Customers whose flights are cancelled will be notified and are strongly advised not to go the airport unless they have confirmed flights on other airlines. Air Canada will offer those with cancelled flights options, including obtaining a full refund or receiving a credit for future travel. The carrier will also offer to rebook customers on other carriers, although capacity is currently limited due to the peak summer travel season.”
By CEO NA Editorial Staff
