Air Canada flight attendants extended their strike into a fourth day on Tuesday, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded or facing cancellations during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents the cabin crew, confirmed late Monday that it had resumed discussions with the airline and mediator William Kaplan in Toronto but insisted the strike would continue.
The work stoppage has deepened tensions between the airline, workers, and the federal government after the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) ruled the strike unlawful and ordered attendants back to work. CUPE has refused to comply, saying negotiations must address wages and unpaid work on the ground.
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu has urged both sides to accept government mediation while also vowing to investigate long-standing complaints that cabin crews are not compensated for tasks such as boarding passengers. “This is a critical issue for flight attendants, and one the government is taking seriously,” Hajdu said, adding that Ottawa was weighing options to enforce the CIRB ruling.
Air Canada CEO defended the company’s offer of a 38 percent increase in total compensation during a Reuters interview on Monday but acknowledged a significant gap remained. CUPE countered that the proposal translated to only a 17.2 percent wage increase over four years, far short of workers’ expectations. Union leaders have warned they would rather risk jail than be forced back to work without a fair agreement.
The strike has created widespread disruption. Canada’s largest carrier, which typically serves 130,000 passengers daily as part of the Star Alliance network, has seen flights cancelled or delayed nationwide. Travelers have been left scrambling for alternatives, with some sleeping in airports due to limited support.
“I’ve been stranded with my kids in Toronto for two nights,” said James Numfor, who had returned from Cameroon for his brother’s funeral. “Air Canada gave us one night in a hotel, then nothing. We sleep in the airport wherever we can.”
Retired traveler Klaus Hickman, who missed a flight to Toronto, voiced sympathy for the workers but also concern for stranded passengers. “They want to get more money to survive, and so it is with everybody else,” he said, though he worried about making his connection to Germany.
Labour groups across Canada are rallying behind CUPE. The Canadian Labour Congress, representing three million workers, has pledged legal and financial support if needed. Its president, Bea Bruske, warned that unions are prepared to escalate the dispute into a broader fight. Meanwhile, Air Canada’s pilot union has encouraged members to join the picket lines in solidarity.
With parliament not set to return until September 15, the government faces limited options to intervene quickly. Ottawa could ask the courts to enforce the CIRB order or pursue special legislation, but so far it has taken a cautious stance.
For passengers, however, the uncertainty lingers as negotiations continue and the strike shows no sign of ending soon.
