Air Canada Strike Ends: Flights to Resume Following Tentative Labor Agreement

Air Canada has reached a tentative agreement with the union representing its flight attendants, officially ending a three-day strike that disrupted travel for over 500,000 passengers. The airline announced that some flights will begin resuming Tuesday evening, with full service expected to take up to a week to restore.

The strike, led by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), began early Saturday and halted operations for both Air Canada and its low-cost subsidiary, Air Canada Rouge. The union defied two government-issued return-to-work orders before returning to the negotiating table late Monday night. Talks continued into early Tuesday morning, resulting in a mediated settlement.

Under the tentative agreement, flight attendants will receive compensation for work performed on the ground—such as boarding assistance and safety checks—which had previously gone unpaid. CUPE described the deal as “transformational,” emphasizing that “unpaid work is over.”

Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau acknowledged the disruption and apologized to customers, stating, “Restarting a major carrier is a complex undertaking. Full restoration may require a week or more, so we ask for our customers’ patience and understanding.”

While flights are expected to resume gradually, passengers are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport. CUPE members must still vote to ratify the agreement. If rejected, the strike could resume.

The resolution marks a significant moment in Canadian labor relations, with CUPE asserting that the deal restores dignity and fairness for flight attendants across the country.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com