Air Canada Flight Attendants Continue Strike Against Government Mandate: What This Means for Travelers | CNN Business

Over 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants are on strike, despite the Canadian government’s attempts to intervene. The union representing these workers, part of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), announced that the strike will continue.

In a recent update, the union emphasized that members are not obligated to contact their employer during the strike. They are also free from checking work emails or taking on reassignment duties while being locked out.

The government, through Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu, invoked Section 107 of the Canada Labor Code to mandate that Air Canada and its employees resume operations. This action aimed to protect the interests of the Canadian economy during this unrest.

Air Canada initiated this government intervention, asking for binding arbitration to resolve the dispute. Despite the back-to-work order, the strike persists, with Air Canada stating that they plan to resume flights.

Last week, almost all CUPE members—99.7%—voted in favor of the strike, wanting better wages and paid compensation when planes are not flying. Union leader Wesley Lesosky criticized the government’s actions as a violation of their rights to strike, arguing that they demand fair pay while the company enjoys massive profits.

From Air Canada’s side, they offered a total compensation increase of 38% over four years, including an initial hourly pay raise of 12% to 16%, which they claim reflects a fair compromise.

Recent data shows that labor disputes like this are becoming increasingly common in North America. A survey by the Economic Policy Institute notes a significant rise in strikes across various industries, indicating that workers are increasingly dissatisfied with their pay and working conditions.

Hajdu maintains that the government isn’t anti-union and that they intervene only when necessary for public interest, particularly when both parties are unable to reach an agreement. This ongoing situation reflects broader patterns in labor relations and could set a precedent for future negotiations in the industry.

For more detailed insights into the labor landscape, you can check reports from the Economic Policy Institute. This source tackles trends in strikes and labor negotiations across the U.S. and Canada.

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