Canadian government moves to end Air Canada strike with arbitration

The Canadian government on Saturday intervened in Air Canada’s cabin crew strike, asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board to impose binding arbitration and order flight attendants back to work.

The strike, which began early Saturday over a wage contract dispute, forced the cancellation of all 700 daily flights and disrupted travel for more than 100,000 passengers. Air Canada warned it could take four to five days to restore full operations once the board rules, a request it typically grants.

Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said the decision was necessary to protect travelers and the economy. The dispute centers on pay: Air Canada has offered a 38% increase over four years, including 25% in the first year, but the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) says the offer falls short, particularly because flight attendants are not paid for time spent boarding passengers or waiting between flights.

Union president Wesley Lesosky said no new talks were scheduled, as attendants rallied at major airports including Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver.

The carrier said about 130,000 customers per day were being affected, including those booked on its budget arm, Air Canada Rouge. Regional affiliates Air Canada Jazz and PAL Airlines are operating normally.

The union has pressed for wage parity with Air Transat flight attendants, who last year secured compounded raises of 30% over five years, the highest in Canada’s airline industry.