Air Canada Strike Ends After Pay Deal Reached
Air Canada and the union representing its 10,000 flight attendants have reached a tentative agreement, ending a four-day strike that grounded flights and left over half a million passengers stranded. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) called the deal a “historic fight” and declared that “unpaid work is over.” Though full details of the agreement haven't been released, CUPE says the proposal brings “transformational change” to the industry.
The strike, which began early Saturday, continued despite the Canadian Industrial Relations Board deeming it "unlawful." It was the airline's first cabin crew strike in 40 years and disrupted up to 700 flights daily. The workers demanded higher wages and pay for ground duties like boarding, which they’ve long done without compensation. While Air Canada had offered a 38% total pay increase over four years, CUPE argued that offer still fell short, referencing inflation and stagnant entry-level pay.
Air Canada says flights will start resuming on Tuesday evening, but warns it could take up to 10 days to restore normal operations due to aircraft and crew being out of position. Customers with canceled flights can rebook, get a refund, or opt for travel credit. In the meantime, frustration among stranded travelers continues, though many have voiced support for the crew's demands.
