Air Canada's jobs minister steps in during a work stoppage, directing flight attendants to resume duty.
Air Canada Resumes Gradual Flight Operations Following Mediated Agreement
Air Canada is gradually resuming flight operations after a strike by more than 10,000 flight attendants was ended by a government-mandated back-to-work order and a subsequent mediated settlement. The strike, which began on August 17, 2025, caused significant disruptions to the airline's schedule and stranded thousands of passengers.
The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) was involved in reaching a settlement and extending the terms of the existing collective agreement. The CIRB reviewed statements from both Air Canada and the workers before deciding to intervene. The government intervened in the dispute using Section 107 of the Canada Labor Code, following a request from Air Canada on Tuesday.
A tentative agreement was reached around August 19, 2025, after mediated negotiations overseen by William Kaplan. This agreement allowed Air Canada to gradually resume operations starting that evening. However, Air Canada has warned that full restoration of normal flight operations could take between 5 to 10 days due to aircraft and crew repositioning issues caused by the shutdown.
As of August 25, the flight attendants are preparing to vote on the tentative deal between August 27 and September 6, 2025. The union has noted that if the deal is rejected in the vote, the strike cannot legally resume due to the previous back-to-work order, but rejection would extend the uncertainty over labor relations and operational stability.
Timeline of Events
| Aspect | Details | |--------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Strike start | August 17, 2025 (defied government back-to-work order) | | Tentative agreement reached | August 19, 2025 (mediated settlement) | | Flight operations resumption | Gradual restart began on the evening of August 19, 2025 | | Full return to normal | Expected within 7 to 10 days after August 19 (around August 26-29, 2025) | | Flight attendant vote on deal | August 27 to September 6, 2025 | | Legal strike status | Strike currently ended; strike legally prohibited if the tentative deal is rejected due to prior back-to-work order[5] |
Key Points
- The strike was overwhelmingly agreed upon by Air Canada's flight attendants, with 99.7% in favor.
- Canadian Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu directed the CIRB to order Air Canada and its employees to resume operations.
- Air Canada's flight attendants are seeking wage increases and paid compensation for work when planes are on the ground.
- As of 11:00 a.m. ET, a total of 662 Air Canada flights were canceled.
- Air Canada's offer includes an hourly raise of 12% to 16% in the first year.
- Air Canada has offered a 38% increase in total compensation over four years.
- The strike started around 1 a.m. ET on Saturday.
Customers are asked not to go to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking and their flight is operating. All information can be found on the company website or mobile app and local airport websites. WestJet is positioning large aircraft onto key routes and adding a limited number of extra flights to help alleviate some of the disruptions caused by the strike.
- The resumption of Air Canada's flight operations, following a mediated agreement and a government-imposed back-to-work order, is expected to have significant implications for the airline's finance and lifestyle sectors, as well as the general-news spectrum, given the scale and duration of the strike.
- The ongoing labor dispute between Air Canada and its flight attendants, involving wage increases and paid compensation for ground work, may impact the business and political landscapes, particularly in light of the Canadian Jobs Minister's intervention.
- The temporary halt in Air Canada's services has also influenced the sports and travel industries, as numerous canceled flights have disrupted travel plans for athletes, coaches, and fans participating in various national and international sports events.
