Over 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants have chosen to continue their strike despite a back-to-work order from the government. In this case, the labor dispute at Toronto Pearson International Airport began on August 16, 2025. It exploded when the Air Canada element of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) was unable to get a suitable deal with the airline.
The Canadian government has intervened in the situation, with Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu invoking Section 107 of the Canada Labor Code. Unhappy with the pace of the negotiations, Hajdu directed the Canadian Labor Relations Board (CLRB) to order Air Canada and its workers to go back to work. Even with this formal proclamation, the unionized hospitality workers have decided to continue with their strike.
Wesley Lesosky, president of the Air Canada component of CUPE was clear that the union does not support the government’s intrusion, saying: He contended that the back-to-work order infringes workers’ rights to engage in concerted actions. Third, he ruled that it unjustly favored Air Canada at the expense of its workers.
“This is a violation of our Charter rights to take job action and give Air Canada exactly what they want – hours and hours of unpaid labour from underpaid flight attendants, while the company pulls in sky-high profits and extraordinary executive compensation.” – Wesley Lesosky
Air Canada is moving to resume flights despite the strike continuing. This is despite the fact that negotiations with the flight attendants are still ongoing and unsettled. Public Safety Minister Patty Hajdu acknowledged the trauma on both sides. She argued that they have come to a standstill and require assistance to work through the last of the items in dispute.
The union has communicated to its members that, despite being locked out by Air Canada, they are not obligated to engage with the employer during this period. The overall tone of the message encouraged them to stay on strike until they achieved a fair deal.
“At this time, you are still on Strike and Locked out! Please remember while we are locked out there is no obligation to be in contact with the employer, no responsibility to check Globe or your work email or to contact them for reassignment or reserve duties.” – The union
Hajdu has refuted any charges that the government is being anti-union, while promising the necessary facilitation in a long-standing dialogue. What should have been an open-ended complaint remains unsatisfactorily resolved as both Air Canada flight attendants and management have doubled down.
